April-June 2013 - Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies

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April-June 36 district when 23 people belonging to Buddhist families from the Garba and Mon low castes, embraced Islam. Tensions between the two communities still continue in the valley, though on a low scale. Resource Person: Siddiq Wahid, Professor and Director, UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Institute of Kashmir Studies, University of Kashmir Both the communities in Ladakh have no choice but to co-exist with each other. The communal clashes are a result of external elements that are influencing their minds. In earlier times, there were no such issues, and people used to enjoy communal harmony; even marriages took place between the two communities. The most important thing, today, is to spread awareness about the importance of education in the whole region, and to change the education system. There is a need to use the local language as the medium of instruction in schools. THEME III: Education and Environment Samina Rehman, M.A. Scholar at JNU; from Leh Ideally, the main objective of education is the all-round development of a student; physically, mentally, and spiritually, to lead a quality life. In this regard, Ladakh is far from being ideal, as there are many loopholes in the education system that need immediate attention for the development of the society. The existing education system in Leh gives more importance on passing the exam rather than learning; this is one of the main causes of degradation in quality education. Some of the main issues regarding education in Ladakh, which need to be addressed, are: the medium of instruction, accessibility, infrastructure, lack of comprehensibility, teacher absentees, lack of constructive learning, negligence in government schools, the absence of proper teaching methods, and persistent negligence from the administration. Sonam Wangmo, Ph.D. Scholar at JNU; from Sham (Leh) If we look at water resources, the status of available ground water and springs, the impact of climate change is quite visible in Ladakh. Less snow fall in winters, and the drying up of springs due to changes in global temperatures has left people in severe hardship, resulting in the intense exploitation of ground water resources. Due to the lack of proper data on ground water, since no proper research has been carried out on the issue, these resources are mismanaged by locals; with the negligence of the government on such scarce resources making matters even worse. No awareness programmes have been introduced by the state, so far, to create awareness about the depleting status of ground water. Scientists all over the world are coming up with scientific methods, based on mitigation programmes, to resolve this threat to the environment. In the case of Ladakh, the issue becomes more challenging. Given the harsh climate, and high terrain of Ladakh, it is a naturally water-scarce region, hence known as the 'cold desert'. The snow water harvesting method should be adopted to conserve precipitation in the form of snow or rain. Artificial Glacier Recharge is another method to conserve water. Thupstan Angchuk, M.Phil. Scholar at JNU; from Stok (Leh) The impact of climate change is visible in Ladakh. One of the most disturbing changes, taking place due to climate change, is on the glaciers which sustain human society. Glaciers are an important source of water for farming, and storing water in the rainy season, thus acting as a 'store house'. Nevertheless, the increasing rate of global temperature is causing a substantial loss in the glacial volume and area. Huge glaciers are melting and fragmenting into smaller ones, while small glaciers are perishing without even being noticed. Almost all the villages in Ladakh are dependent on glaciers for both drinking as well as for farming; any imbalances in temperature can bring floods and water scarcity. Glacier Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) is one of the recent and most unprecedented phenomena in Ladakh. As a matter of fact, sustainable use and water management has become one of the most challenging tasks for the people of Ladakh. Resource Person: Tashi Morup, Project Director, Ladakh Art & Media Organisation The various problems discussed are of immediate concern, and are burning issues that Ladakh is presently facing. Of course, we need to have a lot more discussions on a range of issues, but we also need to come out with solutions. When we talk about education in Ladakh, most people confuse education with language; it is only one part of education. Climate change is something that needs to be dealt with more critically, and in a very sensible manner. THEME IV: Media, Tourism, and Economy Rigzin Chosdon, Ph.D. Scholar at JNU; from Changthang (Leh) A study of the language, along with the study of religion, culture, and its people, led to serious academic studies on the demography, art, architecture, and politics of Ladakh. Interest shown by different scholars, especially western scholars, propounded a sense of recognition of one's own culture and identity. The changing scenario from the oral form of expression (of the past, in the form of stories) has been further developed, and the need to write and express is being continuously practiced by the new generation of Ladakh in the form of e-news, magazines, and newsletters. Gulzar Hussain, M.Phil. Scholar at JNU; from Kargil Town (Kargil) Kargil, despite being isolated from the rest of India for several months in a year, has managed to connect with the rest of the world through social networking sites. Social networking sites, and other internet features have brought a radical change in communication, especially among the youth. These exchanges of information through social networking sites have created a new wave of activism, particularly among the youth on a multiplicity of issues related to the region. Konchok Paldan, Ph.D. Scholar at JNU; from Changthang (Leh) Border villages always remain contested in many ways; likewise, Turtuk, situated on the impermeable border in the north-west of Ladakh, is also one of them. Turtuk was an integral part of Pakistan before 1971. It was in 1971 that this village became a part of independent India. There is a need of sufficient academic attention to understand the social reality of the people who settled in the national and
international border villages. Most of the scholars who worked on border villages, focused mainly on nationalism, transgression, and trans-cultural realities; but, borders which exclusively remain rigid and impermeable, have been least studied. If we look at the economic interests of the region, they do not want borders to open up. However, bitter memories of the partition that led to the division of hundreds of families, have led them to formally propose the opening up of the Turtuk-Khapulu route. Even the people settled along the border, are themselves ambiguous on the issue. Tashi Lundup, Ph.D. Scholar at JNU; from Sham (Leh) To understand various issues regarding tourism and culture in the context of Ladakh, the focus has to be maintained on three main points. Firstly, a brief historical background of the development of tourism in Ladakh needs to be understood. Secondly, an understanding of authenticity and commodification of culture in general, and religion in particular, needs to be developed. Finally, tourism and its impact on society must be analysed. Tourism has brought positive developments in the region; however, it has also simultaneously contributed in projecting the image of Ladakh as only being a much sought after tourist destination. This has consequently resulted in overshadowing the day to day issues affecting the Ladakhi people. Resource Person: Kavita Suri, Assistant Professor, Centre for Adult, Continuing Education & Extension, Jammu University People who visit Ladakh write about their experiences in the region on blogs, professional and personal websites. The region is also being publicised through social networking sites, print media, television etc. However, it is difficult to run a newspaper even in a place like Ladakh, despite it having a limited population, and the fact that everyone knows each other. There are not enough internet facilities, and one faces lots of problems in the process of circulating newspapers. In Turtuk, people have bitter memories of partition, and the locals claim to have more divided families across the border as compared to Kargil. According to them, each family has relatives across, and they have been demanding the reopening of Khapulu Road, which is just 200km from Turtuk. They have also been demanding the opening of a road from Turtuk to Kargil, which falls under India. The Indian Government should consider its opening for the benefit of this isolated region. Report Review India, Pakistan - Propelling Indus Water 'Terrorism' (IWT) Roomana Hukil Research Officer, IReS, IPCS Connecting the Drops: An Indus Basin Roadmap for Cross- Border Water Research, Data Sharing, Policy Coordination Indus Basin Working Group Stimson Center, SDPI, ORF 26 February 2013 The 67-page report is a well-documented analysis of the emerging challenges pertaining to the Indus Water Basin. Among the several recommendations highlighted in the report, the immediate focus is to prioritise investments and institutionalise regular upkeep of the canal infrastructure. The report laid significant emphasis on developing a digitalised online system of the Indus Basin to foster developing a regional network and intensified hydrological modelling capacities. Further prominence was laid on the need to conduct a joint research study evaluating the cumulative environmental impact of multiple dam constructions on an individual watercourse, and develop the technical know-how on the relationship between dam cascades, river basin hydrology, and climate change. It also impressed on the need to increase the knowledge base on monsoon variability trends to improve outcomes for rainfall-dependent agriculture, along with the use of multi-media tools to raise public awareness of climate change within India and Pakistan. Typifying the treaty itself, it also depends on the inflows of the Indus Water Basin, which in a larger perspective, affects climate change that further affects the river system. The report blames the lax implementation by India and Pakistan for its ineffectiveness stating that "both the countries are lax in their implementation (of the Indus Water Treaty). However, it fails to garner political laxity vis-à-vis its technical responses, and hinders to offer substantial politico remedies in adhering to the treaty. It also does not provide ground artefacts that should bind both the actors in times of observing strict adherence to the treaty. Alternately, the report should have featured the need for a change in the mind-sets of those who govern the management of the watercourse between both countries. Since the cryosphere (snow and glaciers) of the upper Indus Water Basin is rapidly altering, amounting to a rise in the surface air temperatures by 1.80 degrees celsius over the past five decades, this is doubling the global average temperature of the region. Understanding the dichotomy of the region, in terms of a change in the geo-strategic structures, urges for an imperative need which was found missing in the report. As warming temperatures and changing solid precipitation patterns are altering the duration, timing, and extent of seasonal snowcovered areas, measures to encapsulate a dialogue of trust between India and Pakistan are the need of the hour. Although the report did signify an institutionalised modest exchange of hydrological data between both countries for future exchanges of water supplies, and, more so, “to mitigate Pakistan's legitimate sensitivities”, it failed to reduce the trust-deficit between both the countries. It is of critical South Asia Plus 37
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Page 3 and 4: South Asia Plus April-June 2013 Lad
Page 5 and 6: Commentary Af-Pak Diary: Decoding H
Page 7 and 8: Commentary Pakistan: Combating the
Page 9 and 10: Commentary Water Conflicts in South
Page 11 and 12: Commentary India and Pakistan: Poli
Page 13 and 14: Commentary India and Pakistan: The
Page 15 and 16: Commentary J&K after Afzal Guru: Im
Page 17 and 18: Commentary Teesta Water Accord: Exp
Page 19 and 20: Commentary Review: India-Sri Lanka
Page 21 and 22: Commentary India and Pakistan: Is I
Page 23 and 24: Commentary Bangladesh: An Analysis
Page 25 and 26: Commentary Naxal Violence: Is the M
Page 27 and 28: Commentary Kargil: Echoes of Attack
Page 29 and 30: Commentary Sri Lanka and the UNHRC
Page 31 and 32: Commentary Sri Lanka: Tamil Nadu an
Page 33 and 34: Commentary India, China & the Brahm
Page 35: A close look at the election patter
Page 39 and 40: the growing realisation among defen

April-June 2013 - Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies

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