Srinagar, April 15 -- The recent decision by tour operators in Ladakh to bar non-local investments in the region's tourism sector has ignited a heated debate. On one hand, it reflects a growing assertion of local identity and an urgent call for sustainable, community-led development. On the other, it raises concerns about economic insularity and the unintended consequences of limiting external capital and expertise. Ladakh, with its stark landscapes and fragile ecosystems, has become a magnet for tourists over the past two decades. The boom has undeniably boosted incomes and livelihoods, but it has also brought mounting pressures-environmental degradation, cultural dilution, and a skewed distribution of wealth. The influx of non-local tou...