Ladakh UT status: Most Leh people happy; many confused, uncertain

Chewang Dolma, who retired as a matron from a government hospital here, had joined a crowd of jubilant people in the streets of Leh on the day the Centre announced a Union territory status for Ladakh.

"People were dancing in the streets, and rejoicing in markets. Ladakhis had been struggling for over 70 years to see this day," Dolma said. "We were emotionally overwhelmed. I am very happy that now we will finally be a UT."
"And, being Ladakhis, we had to face a lot of problem as, not only the long distance for travel, but we were expected to grease palms of many government staff to get our work done," she said. "I am very happy, we are separate entity now."
"Ladakh's ecology is very fragile and infrastructure and other projects are now expected to be brought in her," he said. "I can't tell how much jobs will be created for locals, and a bit concerned about the impact of new set-up on the existing ecology and our own local culture."
Asked about the future of Ladakh post the UT status, Buddhist leader His Eminence Drukpa Thuksey Rinpoche said: "People are excited, but, we don't know what will happen after the UT status comes."
Hinting at urban issues arising due to increase in population, he said: "Our Ladakh should not become more dirty or polluted after the UT status now. We must preserve our Himalayan region as we grow ahead."
In the same village, Kalzang Chosdin, 29, said: "We are poor people just trying to live our lives without compromising the nature."