Vinai Kumar Saxena on May 26 visited Khaltse and participated in the celebrations marking the creation of Sham as a new district in Ladakh. This was the Lieutenant Governor’s first visit to Sham after its inception as a new district.

Amid enthusiastic public participation and cultural performances, the Lieutenant Governor was accorded a grand traditional welcome by villagers, public representatives, students, cultural troupes and members of civil society on his arrival at Khaltse, the district headquarters.

The creation of Sham district follows the approval granted by the Lieutenant Governor on April 27, 2026, for the creation of five new districts in the Union Territory of Ladakh. Sham district comprises 27 revenue villages, including five villages carved out from Kargil district and 22 villages from Leh district.

Speaking on the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor congratulated the people on the fulfilment of their long-pending aspiration. He stated that the creation of the new district reflects the personal attention and commitment of Narendra Modi and Amit Shah towards the development of Ladakh and border areas.

The Lieutenant Governor said that with the creation of the new district, governance and public services would now become more accessible and responsive at the doorstep of the people. He added that the formation of Sham district would act as a bridge between the Administration and the public, ensuring faster service delivery and better governance.

Describing Sham as the “Apricot Valley” of Ladakh, Saxena said the GI-tagged “Raktsey Karpo” apricot variety, which is grown abundantly in Sham valley, is now being exported to international markets. He said that around 1,000 metric tonnes of fresh apricots would be exported this season — a historic milestone for Ladakh’s horticulture sector.

He stated that the UT Administration would facilitate packaging, branding and marketing of apricots through various institutional partnerships to ensure better returns for farmers.

Saxena further informed that during his recent interaction with Chirag Paswan, support was assured for establishing food processing units and strengthening the horticulture sector in Ladakh. He observed that these initiatives would significantly benefit farmers, particularly from Sham, who are major producers of apricots and apples.

The Lieutenant Governor further stated that creation of the district would also lead to the generation of employment opportunities for local youth through the creation of new posts in government departments as well as indirect opportunities in construction, transport, trade, tourism and hospitality sectors.

“My aim is to ensure balanced and inclusive development of every region of Ladakh while protecting its fragile ecology. I want to see a real transformation in the lives of the people of Ladakh. With the support and cooperation of the people, Sham will emerge as a vibrant, progressive and self-reliant district in the coming years,” Saxena said.