Reported in Daily Excelsior various Councillors are pushing for the initiation of Zanskar's Tourism Development Authority. Confirmed in July last year, the Development Authority is headed by the Sub Divisional Magistrate Zanskar. The objective (brace yourself if you are a counterculture fan) is to develop Zanskar's tourist infrastructure with funding (20 crore Rupees/£2.5 million according to the BDO in an interview last summer) being released over 4 years through the Rural Development Department and the Public Works Department (PWD). In an interview with the SDM in September 2006 plans for the use of the money were not confirmed, although rumours at the village level already linked the cornering of funds by Zanskar's larger monasteries. Admittedly these are significant tourist attractions, however, from a personal perspective, I would say that Padum would benefit from rubbish/litter management facilities and improved communications (especially reliable telephone and internet) to facilitate the relationship between tourists and Zanskari trekking and tour guides. Formal campsites, fodder supplies for trekking horses, litter facilities, improved water supplies and 'Ladakhi toilets' which are emptied/maintained, would also be a bonus for every village in Zanskar that is on a busy trekking route.

Other demands focus on more seats on LAHDC Kargil (there are currently three for Zanskar), new irrigation projects, improvements to education, and the provision of allopathic dispensaries in Stod, Lungnak and Sham.