Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Monday launched the Indus River Green Corridor Eco-Restoration Plantation at Spituk Pharka on March 23, marking a significant step towards restoring the ecological integrity of the Indus riverbanks in Ladakh’s fragile cold desert ecosystem.

The initiative, described as a first-of-its-kind Cold Desert Riverbank Restoration Project in India, aims to create green buffers along the Indus and enhance environmental sustainability in the region.

As part of the drive, nearly 1,000 saplings of indigenous species—including Oleaster, Sea buckthorn, Indian Willow, Black Poplar, and White Willow—were planted across one hectare of riverbank land. The effort was made possible through the collaboration of civil administration, defence and paramilitary forces, police, and local communities. Notably, Spituk Monastery contributed one hectare of land for the plantation.

In addition, another 1,000 saplings of Cherry Blossom and Apricot were planted along roadsides in Leh city to enhance its green cover and aesthetic appeal.

The programme was organised by the Department of Forest, Ecology and Environment in collaboration with Spituk Monastery and the University of Ladakh. It witnessed active participation from students, local residents, and officials, showcasing a model of collective action and convergence.

Describing the occasion as historic, Saxena said that with community support, the project could evolve into a global model for high-altitude river ecosystem restoration. He termed the initiative a major step toward sustainable development in Ladakh and highlighted its potential to address pressing ecological challenges.

The Lieutenant Governor emphasised the deep interconnection between nature, culture, and development, noting that forests and rivers are integral to Ladakh’s identity and long-term sustainability.

Referring to the vision of Narendra Modi, he reiterated India’s commitment to combating land degradation and desertification, and achieving the national target of restoring 2.6 crore hectares of degraded land by 2030. He expressed confidence that Ladakh would play a key role in this mission.

Highlighting the importance of community participation, Saxena lauded Spituk Monastery’s contribution as an example of collaborative governance. He also shared insights from similar successful greening initiatives in Udaipur and Delhi.

Calling the Indus River Green Corridor a “civilisational project,” the LG said it goes beyond a government programme and represents a broader vision of balancing development with environmental conservation. He also urged wider adoption of the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign in Ladakh.

Drawing attention to Ladakh’s forest cover—currently less than one per cent—he termed the situation concerning and set a target to increase it to five per cent within the next two years. He outlined the ecological benefits of such efforts, including reduced wind velocity, prevention of soil erosion, improved biodiversity, enhanced micro-climatic stability, and increased oxygen levels.

The LG also stressed the adoption of innovative techniques such as gravity-based solar submersible strip irrigation and drip irrigation systems to optimise water use in plantation activities.

Encouraging youth participation, he urged young people to take the lead in sustainability efforts and contribute actively to environmental conservation. He also reiterated his vision of transforming Ladakh into a premier global tourist destination by leveraging its natural and ecological wealth.

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 Namgyal. Winners of a hackathon were also honoured.

Among those present were Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC Kargil, Mohd Jaffer Akhoon; Chief Secretary 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, and BRO; former MP Ladakh Jamyang Tsering Namgyal; and Abbot of Spituk Monastery Ven. Lobzang Angchuk, along with representatives from civil society and a large number of students.