Leh/Jammu, Oct 13 (PTI) Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Tuesday stressed the urgent need to protect Ladakh’s fragile glaciers from the impacts of global warming as he chaired the first meeting of the Advisory Council of the Union Territory.
The recently formed Advisory Council, headed by the lieutenant governor, was convened to deliberate on ongoing major developmental projects and review key initiatives across Ladakh, a Lok Bhavan spokesperson said.
Detailed discussions covered critical areas, including long-term water security, agricultural sustainability, local employment, tourism promotion, heritage conservation, Pashmina development, sea buckthorn promotion, major infrastructure projects, administrative reforms, among others, he said.
Addressing the meeting, the lieutenant governor drew attention to the urgent need for glacier protection in view of the challenges posed by global warming, which he described as a global phenomenon requiring collective action.
“Ladakh, with its fragile ecology, must adopt proactive measures to safeguard its glaciers and ensure long-term climate resilience,” Saxena said.
The lieutenant governor underscored the administration’s commitment to ensuring water security in Ladakh through innovative interventions such as Project Him Sarovar, which envisages the creation of water storage ponds to harness glacial and snowmelt runoff.
He urged the Advisory Council members to come up with out-of-the-box and innovative ideas, aimed at strengthening climate resilience, promoting tourism and creating new local employment avenues.
On the Pashmina sector, the lieutenant governor reiterated Ladakh’s resolve to safeguard and promote its globally renowned heritage.
He informed the members that the administration has extended a 25 per cent subsidy to Pashmina wool growers and is targeting an increase in the Pashmina goat population to 4 lakh by next year.
“The administration is prioritising Pashmina development to ensure sustainable livelihoods for Changpa herders and position Ladakh as a leading producer of premium-quality Pashmina,” he said.
Addressing the promotion of sea buckthorn, Saxena noted that a Sea Buckthorn Conclave was successfully organised earlier this year, reflecting the administration’s commitment to harnessing the potential of this unique resource.
He said that Ladakh has achieved a production of 2,200 tonnes of sea buckthorn this year, and that a dedicated processing plant is coming up in Nubra to add value and expand market opportunities.
The lieutenant governor expressed appreciation for the constructive suggestions put in by the members of the Advisory Council and assured that the administration will continue to work on basic issues affecting the people of Ladakh.
He announced that the Advisory Council will meet again soon to review progress and chalk out the way forward. PTI TAS TAS MDO
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