Lt Gen Pratik Sharma, Army Commander, Northern Command, presided over the Northern Command Land Conference, a pioneering initiative aimed at bringing together stakeholders involved in the management and utilisation of defence land.
The conference provided a common platform for various defence and civil agencies to deliberate on issues related to defence land, with a focus on improving its management, efficient utilisation and timely resolution of long-pending matters.
Senior officials from Northern Command, Integrated Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence (Army), Indian Air Force, Border Roads Organisation, Directorate General Defence Estates, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and the administrations of the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh participated in the conference.
The participation of representatives from multiple organisations enabled a comprehensive discussion on issues requiring inter-departmental coordination, particularly where defence land management intersects with infrastructure development, environmental considerations, connectivity and civil administration.
Lt Gen Pratik Sharma emphasised the importance of greater synergy among stakeholders to ensure that defence land is managed effectively while meeting operational and developmental requirements.
The conference resulted in important decisions aimed at ensuring time-bound resolution of outstanding issues through coordinated action by the concerned departments.
The initiative is expected to strengthen institutional cooperation and establish a more streamlined approach towards defence land management in the Northern Command area.
The conference also highlighted the importance of balancing operational requirements with responsible land utilisation and development, particularly in the strategically significant regions of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
The Northern Command Land Conference marks an important step towards improving coordination among defence and civil agencies and ensuring that defence land is managed in a manner that supports operational preparedness and the broader national interest.
