Excelsior Correspondent
Leh, Mar 23: Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena today launched the Indus River Green Corridor Eco-Restoration Plantation at Spituk Pharka, an initiative aimed at restoring the ecological integrity of the Indus riverbanks and creating green buffers in the fragile desert landscape of Leh-Ladakh. This initiative is a one-of-a-kind Cold Desert River Bank Restoration Project in India.
As part of the exercise, nearly 1000 saplings of indigenous species like Oleaster, Sea buckthorn, Indian Willow, Black Poplar and White Willow were planted on the riverbank through collaborative efforts of civil administration, military, paramilitary, police, and local communities, especially Spituk Gonpa and its monastic fraternity, which gave 1 hectare of land for the plantation.
Apart from this, 1000 saplings of Cherry Blossom and Apricot were also planted along the roadside in Leh city, aimed at enhancing the green aesthetics of the city.
The event was organised by the Department of Forest, Ecology and Environment in collaboration with Spituk Monastery and the University of Ladakh. The initiative witnessed active participation from civil administration, defence forces, local communities and students, reflecting a model of convergence and collective action.
Describing the occasion as historic, the Lieutenant Governor stated that with the support of the local communities, this project would emerge as an instrument of resilience, stability and a global model for high-altitude river ecosystem restoration. He said that the launch of the Indus River Green Corridor in a fragile ecosystem like Ladakh represents a major step towards sustainable development. He emphasised that the initiative would not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of Leh but also help address pressing ecological challenges of Ladakh.
The LG underlined the need to recognise the deep interconnection between nature, development and culture, stating that forests and rivers in Ladakh are not merely ecological assets but integral to the region’s identity and sustainability.
On the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor released a special postal cover and felicitated individuals and organisations contributing to environmental conservation, including “Go Green, Go Organic”, Range Officer Stanzin Gelek, and Shri Namgyal. Winners of a hackathon were also felicitated.
Among those present on the occasion were Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC Kargil, Mohd Jaffer Akhoon, Chief Secretary, Shri Ashish Kundra, GOC 14 Corps Lt Gen Hitesh Bhalla, DGP Ladakh Mukesh Singh, District Principal and Sessions Judge Spalzes Angmo, senior officials of the Indian Army, ITBP, Border Roads Organisation (BRO), former MP Ladakh Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, Abbot of Spituk Monastery Ven. Lobzang Angchuk, and senior officials of the UT Ladakh Administration, apart from representatives of religious, political and civil society organisations, and a large number of school/university students.
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