Calling it a “civilizational project,” Ladakh LG VK Saxena spearheaded a major plantation drive on the International Day of Forests, introducing innovative, solar-powered drip irrigation to ensure the high-altitude ecosystem thrives.
BY PC Bureau
March 24, 2026: — Marking the International Day of Forests on March 23, Ladakh Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena launched the Indus River Green Corridor Eco-Restoration Plantation at Spituk Pharka. Describing the initiative as a “civilizational project,” the LG emphasized its critical role in restoring the fragile ecological balance of the high-altitude desert region.
The initiative stands as a first-of-its-kind cold desert riverbank restoration project in India, aiming to create vital green buffers along the Indus River while harmonizing development with environmental conservation.
The Plantation Drive Through a massive collaborative effort, the project successfully planted thousands of trees across Leh:
Riverbank Restoration: Approximately 1,000 saplings of native species—including Oleaster, Sea buckthorn, Indian Willow, Black Poplar, and White Willow—were planted on a one-hectare stretch of the Indus riverbank. The land was notably donated by the Spituk Gonpa (monastery).
Urban Greening: An additional 1,000 Cherry Blossom and Apricot saplings were planted along roadsides in Leh city to enhance its green aesthetics.
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Ambitious Green Cover Targets Addressing the gathering, LG Saxena highlighted a pressing concern: Ladakh’s current forest cover stands at less than one percent. He set an ambitious target to increase this green cover to five percent over the next two years.
Saxena noted that increasing the region’s tree count will provide crucial scientific benefits, including preventing soil erosion along the riverbanks, acting as wind shelterbelts, improving local biodiversity, and boosting oxygen levels in the high-altitude air. He also aligned the project with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign and the broader national goal of restoring 2.6 crore hectares of degraded land by 2030.
Collaborative and Scientific Approach The event, organized by the Department of Forest, Ecology and Environment in partnership with the Spituk Monastery and the University of Ladakh, showcased a unique model of collective governance. It brought together civil administration, military and paramilitary forces, local police, monastic fraternities, and students.
To ensure the survival of the saplings in the harsh climate, the LG stressed the implementation of innovative, water-efficient technologies, such as gravity-based solar submersible strip irrigation and advanced drip irrigation systems.
Event Highlights and Felicitations During the launch, the LG released a special postal cover commemorating the occasion. He also felicitated several individuals and organizations for their outstanding contributions to environmental conservation, including:
The “Go Green, Go Organic” initiative
Range Officer Stanzin Gelek
Shri Namgyal
Winners of a local environmental hackathon
The launch was attended by several high-ranking dignitaries, including CEC LAHDC Kargil Mohd Jaffer Akhoon, Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra, GOC 14 Corps Lt Gen Hitesh Bhalla, and DGP Ladakh Mukesh Singh, among other civil and military leaders.
