Centre's wildlife panel clears way for ammo storage in East Ladakh

The environment ministry's expert panel has cleared the way for a slew of strategic proposals in Eastern Ladakh to ramp up ammunition storage off the Sino-China border.

The National Board of Wildlife, at a December 21, 2024 meeting chaired by Environment minister Bhupender Yadav, approved the setting up of a Formation Ammunition Storage Facility (FASF) at strategic locations off Hanle and Photi La besides underground caverns at other locations for storage of strategic equipment.

ET first reported on November 8, 2024 that defence forces had sought green clearances to ramp up ammunition storage off the border.


Ammunition storage facilities apart, the security forces had also moved proposals for strengthening presence at Lukung, a village right on the banks of Pangong Tso lake besides the Durbuk area.

The proposals were moved between April and July this year and have now got wildlife clearance.

Construction of proper FASF will ensure adequate storage, supervision of ammunition besides smooth withdrawal in lesser reaction time, enabling faster deployment of units in case of operational requirements, it is felt.

The defence forces argued that there is an 'urgent necessity' for forward placing of combat elements in the area, especially in the initial phases of operations.

This is also the area where units of various brigades and uniform forces are stationed especially in forward regions like Hanle, Punguk, Photi La and Koyul in Eastern Ladakh.

Photi La, one of the highest motorable mountain passes in the world, is just about 30 km from Hanle and also the pathway to Demchok.

At present, the bulk of ammunition is stored in an ad hoc manner and nearly 250 km away from Hanle and near 300 km, off Photi La. This is resulting in delayed ammunition withdrawal and therefore hampering operational readiness, it had been submitted to the green ministry.

The proposal for underground caverns is also aimed at improving operational readiness in Eastern Ladakh and along the Line of Actual Control. The cavern facilities are seen as critical to enhancing defence potential in the region.

In most cases, the defence forces already have temporary facilities in the area. However, the need is felt to strengthen and regularise these facilities for permanent use, amid expected accretion of forces after the 2020 border friction with Chinese forces.

Permissions have also been given for a more permanent built-up to house the inland water transport platoon at Lukung besides the infantry battalion camp at Erath to house troops, arms, ammunition and operational requirements.