India, Oct. 28 -- The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife which is set to meet this week, is expected to discuss a number of fresh defence proposals involving diversion of protected areas in Ladakh.

The standing committee will consider a proposal for use of 24.2 ha of land from Changthang Cold Desert Wildlife Sanctuary for Formation Ammunition Storage Facility (FASF) at Tsogtsalu and another proposal for use of 40 ha of land from the same sanctuary for establishing a Brigade Headquarters at Chushul in Leh .

The Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary is home to the Tibetan Wolf, Wild Yak, Bharal, Wild Dog, Snow Leopard, and Brown Bear .

Ladakh is strategically important as it shares borders both with China on the east and Pakis...