News: Ladakh has extended Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDCs) to all 7 districtsà The five new districts covered are Sham, Nubra, Changthang, Zanskar and Drass.

About LAHDCs

• Elected statutory district-level bodies providing local self-governance and development planning in Ladakh.
• Established on the pattern of the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council.
• LAHDC Leh was established in 1995, while LAHDC Kargil was established in 2003.

Composition & Structure

• Typically 30 members: 26 directly elected and 4 nominated.
• Members have a 5-year term.
• Headed by the Chief Executive Councillor (CEC), assisted by Executive Councillors.
• Deputy Commissioner functions as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Council.

Key Functions

• Land & resources: Land allocation, occupation and management of forests.
• Development: District planning, budgeting and implementation of development schemes.
• Public services: Education, healthcare, sanitation and local roads.
• Agriculture & livestock: Pastures, irrigation, fisheries, veterinary services and livestock development.
• Culture & heritage: Eco-tourism, indigenous languages and local traditions.

Significance

• Strengthens grassroots democracy and local participation in Ladakh.
• Enables development policies suited to high-altitude and geographically difficult terrain.
• Expands elected self-governance across the entire Union Territory.