New Delhi, January 15, 2025 – In a significant move, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is considering a proposal to transfer ownership of vast stretches of government wasteland in Ladakh to local residents who have been cultivating or tending these lands for years. The proposal, which seeks to regularize land usage and provide security to the people of Ladakh, was a key topic of discussion in a high-level meeting between Ladakhi civil society leaders and MHA officials on Wednesday.

The Historical Context of ‘Nautor’ Land Policy

The concept of granting land rights to locals for cultivating wastelands is not new. Known as Nautor, this practice was originally established under a 1932 rule by Maharaja Hari Singh, the then ruler of Jammu and Kashmir. A similar policy has existed in Himachal Pradesh since 1968, but its implementation has been stalled under the current Congress-led government due to concerns raised by Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla.

For decades, Ladakhis have been using barren lands for agriculture and other livelihood activities without formal ownership rights. This proposed policy seeks to rectify that by granting them legal titles, thus ensuring stability and long-term benefits for the local population.

Ladakh’s Demand for Land and Constitutional Protections

Since 2019, when the Centre revoked Article 370 of the Constitution, stripping Jammu and Kashmir of its special status, Ladakh has witnessed waves of protests. The region, which was carved out as a separate Union Territory (UT) without a Legislative Assembly, has been demanding constitutional safeguards, statehood, and land rights. Concerns over unchecked land acquisition by outsiders have fueled these protests, as locals fear the dilution of Ladakh’s unique cultural and demographic identity.

Several organizations, including the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), have been at the forefront of demanding special land and employment protections for Ladakhis. They have repeatedly urged the Centre to introduce laws similar to those in the northeastern states, where land ownership is restricted to indigenous communities.

What the Proposed Policy Could Mean for Ladakh

If the Centre moves forward with the new land policy, it could be a major step toward addressing long-standing grievances in Ladakh. Granting legal land titles would not only provide security to Ladakhi farmers and herders but also pave the way for sustainable agricultural development, afforestation, and land conservation efforts in the fragile Himalayan ecosystem.

Experts believe that a structured land policy could also play a role in boosting the local economy by encouraging responsible land use, preventing mass migration, and promoting eco-friendly tourism and agriculture. However, Ladakhi leaders remain cautious, emphasizing that land regularization should go hand-in-hand with constitutional protections that safeguard the region’s interests.

The Road Ahead

With growing pressure from local stakeholders, the Centre is likely to deliberate further on the proposed land policy. The outcome of these discussions will be crucial in determining the future governance framework for Ladakh, particularly regarding land ownership and autonomy.

As negotiations continue, all eyes are on the government’s next move—whether it will implement reforms that protect Ladakh’s unique identity while ensuring sustainable development or whether the region will continue to struggle for constitutional safeguards and self-governance.