Environmental Crisis and Political Accountability in the Himalayas: Water Governance in the Ladakh Region

Anjali Awasthi

doi:10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i03.78910

Environmental Crisis and Political Accountability in the Himalayas: Water Governance in the Ladakh Region

Author(s)	Ms. Anjali Awasthi
Country	India
Abstract	The Himalayan region, often referred to as the “Third Pole,” is witnessing an unprecedented ecological transformation. Among its fragile ecosystems, Ladakh stands out as both a symbol of environmental vulnerability and as a laboratory for sustainable innovation. This paper critically examines the intersection of environmental crisis and political accountability in the Ladakh region, seeking to rethink India’s approach to sustainable water governance within an ecologically and politically sensitive terrain. Drawing on the principles of adaptive governance, ecological modernisation, and public accountability, this study situates Ladakh’s water challenges within the broader context of India’s evolving federal environmental architecture. Ladakh’s hydrological distress, driven by glacial retreat, erratic precipitation, and rapid urbanisation, intensified after its administrative reorganisation as a Union Territory in 2019.These environmental shifts have exposed the tension between traditional community-based management systems, such as zings, kul channels, and Ice Stupa innovations, and the state-led developmental paradigm that often prioritises infrastructure over ecological balance. This paper investigates how political institutions at the local, union, and national levels have responded to this crisis, questioning whether governance mechanisms have adequately upheld accountability, equity, and participation. By examining key policy frameworks such as the Jal Jeevan Mission, Atal Bhujal Yojana, and National Water Policy, alongside local governance structures and indigenous practices, this study evaluates how sustainable outcomes depend as much on ethical and political will as on technical solutions. Methodologically, this paper employs a qualitative, policy-analytical approach, synthesising secondary data from government reports, environmental indices, and scholarly studies (2010–2025).This reveals that while India’s national water missions have advanced infrastructural access, they often lack region-specific adaptation strategies for high-altitude, arid ecosystems such as Ladakh. The findings argue for a multilevel governance framework that integrates local ecological knowledge with institutional accountability and transparent policy execution. Ultimately, this paper calls for a paradigm shift in Himalayan water governance, from crisis management to accountable stewardship anchored in India’s constitutional ethos of justice, sustainability, and participatory democracy. By positioning Ladakh as a microcosm of India’s environmental future, this study contributes to debates on how political responsibility, ethical governance, and adaptive policy design can converge to build a more resilient and sustainable Himalayan region.
Keywords	Environmental Governance, Political Accountability, Sustainable Water Management, Ladakh, Climate Change, Public Policy, Adaptive Governance, Himalayan Sustainability, Ecological Justice.
Field	Sociology > Politics
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 3, May-June 2026
Published On	2026-05-19
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i03.78910

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Environmental Crisis and Political Accountability in the Himalayas: Water Governance in the Ladakh Region

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