The objective of this internship was to identify key stakeholders, actors and institutions working across Ladakh and create a database for the same. Moreover, to document the environmental, economic, social, and political drivers and pressures in Ladakh and its impact on society and the environment of the region. The outcome of this exercise to map out different networks, actors and institutions working across Ladakh added to the knowledge base for an existing project between ATREE, Achi Association, University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMASS) and The French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD) with local communities in Ladakh. The database would help in creating a base layer of knowledge with respect to the current state of work happening within Ladakh. The base layer would serve as mapping out different areas work included (but not limited to) - existing projects and work happening in terms of government programs, civil society projects and organizations, schemes and benefits under the UT administration, conservation management plans and regional climate action plans. This base layer is important as the current interventions in Ladakh need to be documented before starting any new projects. Moreover, to enable future partnerships and collaborations with different stakeholders from government and civil society.

Creating this database enabled refining of one’s research skills, contributed to adding knowledge for an existing conservation project and gave one a broader perspective with respect to socio-ecological issues in high-altitude mountain ecosystems.

The broader learning goal of creating this multi-sectoral database was inspired from socio-ecological systems theory or SES theory. SES theory provides a framework for understanding the complex relationships between society and the environment at large.