![\"Ladakh](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-130563720,imgsize-178630,width-400,height-225,resizemode-4\/ladakh-gets-five-new-districts-lg-saxena-approves-notification.jpg\" "\\"Ladakh")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nSRINAGAR: Ladakh\u2019s number of districts rose from two to seven after five more were added \u2014 Nubra, Sham, Changthang, Zanskar and Drass \u2014 in a notification issued Monday by lieutenant governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, days before Union home minister Amit Shah is due to visit.Calling it a \u201chistoric day\u201d, Saxena said the move fulfils a long-pending demand and would \u201cstrengthen grassroots governance\u201d and improve service delivery in remote areas. Ladakh earlier had two districts \u2014 Leh and Kargil \u2014 each governed by autonomous hill councils set up in 1995 and 2003, respectively.Uncertainty remains over whether new districts will fall under existing Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council or get separate councils.Saxena said the decision, approved by the Union home ministry in Aug 2024, aligns with PM Narendra Modi\u2019s vision of a \u201cdeveloped and prosperous Ladakh\u201d, adding it would open avenues for growth, jobs and entrepreneurship.Shah is scheduled to reach Leh on April 30 for a two-day visit and attend events linked to Buddha Purnima, including paying respects to relics of Lord Buddha.Leh\u2019s BJP politician Tashi Gyalson called the decision \u201chistoric\u201d and credited party workers. Kargil hill council chairman M Jaffer Akhoon termed it a \u201cwelcome development\u201d but said demands for separate districts of Sankoo and Shakar-Chiktan \u2014 among the most populated subdivisions \u2014 were not met.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n