Latest news with #LAHDC
Time of India
4 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Jacket made from Siachen waste, drive to clean Indus — Army goes green
Jacket made from Siachen waste, drive to clean Indus SRINAGAR: The Indian army gifted a jacket made from recycled waste collected in the Siachen glacier region to Tashi Gyalson, the chief executive councillor (CEC) of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) in Leh earlier last week. The move is part of army's green initiative focused on 'innovative waste management and repurposing discarded materials from Siachen'. The CEC also informed Lt Gen Hitesh Bhalla, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 14 Corps of a drive to clean the Indus river and its tributaries. On June 19, alarmed by the presence of arsenic in the river, LAHDC-Leh announced a community-driven cleanliness campaign involving the army, paramilitary forces, ITBP, Border Roads Organisation, and local stakeholders. Gyalson said there was a need to explore partnerships to support self-help groups and promote alternative livelihoods for local communities. The two officers also discussed the potential use of poultry waste including hen feathers from local slaughterhouses to develop marketable products.
Time of India
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Arsenic, plastic in Indus: Ladakh launches army-civilian cleaning drive
Denny generated AI image SRINAGAR: Alarmed by the unhealthy level of arsenic in the Indus waters, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) on Thursday decided to launch a large-scale community-driven cleanliness campaign involving Army, ITBP, BRO, local bodies, and the public. Recent water tests have revealed that the arsenic levels in the Indus waters are more than that found in treated sewage plants. Calling the findings 'deeply concerning and unacceptable,' LAHDC chairman Tashi Gyalson directed the Leh additional DC to form flying squads at the sub-divisional level to identify vulnerable stretches and prevent garbage dumping and the discharge of untreated sewage into the river. A district-level committee will monitor progress, oversee interventions, and formulate future strategies. Gyalson said, 'And more than that (arsenic), plastic dumping in the river has aggravated the pollution problem. We will not allow the river to become a dumping ground. This river is not just a waterbody. It is sacred, worshipped, and essential to life here.' He chaired a meeting attended by senior officials from civil administration, army, and ITBP, calling for an urgent coordinated action involving municipal committees, rural and urban development bodies, and the public. Representatives of the trade and hotel industries attended the meeting. Chief wildlife warden, Sajjad Mufti, has been directed to invoke relevant bylaws under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, or other applicable laws, to ensure strict penalties are slapped on flouters.
Time of India
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Opening of Galwan Valley for tourists on 5th anniversary of India-China troops clash delayed
Galwan Memorial (Photo: ANI) SRINAGAR: Plans to open Galwan Valley hot springs in Ladakh for tourists on the fifth anniversary of the deadly clash between Indian and Chinese troops have been delayed, as construction of the war memorial needs further work. 'We have deferred the official opening of the Galwan Valley until the memorial is completed in perfection, as that will be the main attraction. It is about to be completed, but needs a finishing touch,' Tashi Gyalson, chief executive councillor of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), told TOI. Gyalson said LAHDC was also working on amending permit regulations to allow visitors without special permission. 'It is just a matter of a few days before Galwan Valley is opened to tourists,' he said. The Ladakh administration, in collaboration with the Indian Army, is at present working to build supporting infrastructure in the area. The Galwan Valley hot springs near the Line of Actual Control were set to open on June 15 as part of a battlefield tourism initiative. The date was meant to mark the fifth anniversary of the 2020 clash between Indian and PLA troops. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like One of the Most Successful Investors of All Time, Warren Buffett, Recommends: 5 Books for Turning... Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Click Here Undo Twenty Indian soldiers, including a commanding officer, and an unspecified number of PLA men were killed in the hand-to-hand combat, which was one of the most serious military confrontations between the two countries in decades. Meanwhile, the Army on Monday paid tribute to soldiers who died in the Galwan clash with China. In a post on X, Ladakh based Fire and Fury Corps 'paid heartfelt tribute to the valour and supreme sacrifice of our bravehearts who stood resolute in the face of adversity'. 'The indomitable courage in Galwan Valley forever resonates in the hearts of every Indian. Nation honours their families with deep respect. Their sacrifice continues to inspire generations,' it added.
Hindustan Times
16-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
LAHDC Kargil chairman meets Sitharaman, seeks ₹1,000 crore special package
Leh, Mohd Jaffer Akhoon, the chairman and chief executive councillor of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council , Kargil, met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman here on Monday and submitted a memorandum, which among other things sought a special package of ₹1,000 crore to complete the vital infrastructure projects. Akhoon during the meeting presented a comprehensive memorandum outlining several key developmental and infrastructural demands concerning the Kargil district, an official said. The memorandum emphasized the urgent needs of the region and sought the Union Finance Ministry's intervention in key sectors such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, governance and tourism, he added. The official said that a special package of ₹1,000 crore was requested to complete vital infrastructure projects stalled due to insufficient funding. The finances in Ladakh have become a big problem in the current financial year due to ₹1,266 crore worth cuts in the budget by the Finance Ministry. Among the other key demands presented include an upgradation of the existing 100-bed district hospital to a 200-bed hospital, establishment of a super specialty hospital or a Mini AIIMS and runway expansion and immediate commencement of civil air operations from Kargil, the official said. The chairman of LAHDC, Kargil, also demanded a separate women's college in Sankoo and immediate operationalization of the sanctioned engineering college with full faculty and infrastructure support. It was urged that funds allocated to the LAHDC be made non-lapsable to ensure efficient utilization and multi-year planning and enhancement of the LAHDC Capex grant to ₹500 crore annually. Akhoon also called for a dedicated tourism promotion fund to unlock the region's potential for eco, adventure and cultural tourism. He expressed deep appreciation to the Finance Ministry for its continued support to the Ladakh region and emphasized that fulfillment of these demands would play a transformative role in Kargil's future. Akhoon said a robust healthcare, educational infrastructure and financial empowerment of local bodies are essential for sustainable and inclusive development. Sitharaman, who is currently on a four-day visit to Ladakh, met Lieutenant Governor Brig B D Mishra and other senior officers of the UT administration earlier on Sunday. 'Lt Governor Brig B D Mishra and first lady Neelam Mishra met Finance Minister, who is on a four-day visit to Ladakh. The LG discussed various issues related to the development of Ladakh with the Finance Minister,' the LG's office said in a post on X. She virtually inaugurated and laid the foundation of several projects. On the third day of her visit, Sitharaman laid the foundation stone of Mini Planetarium and Astro Globe Hanle Dark Sky reserve in Hanle. The Union minister visited Rongdo Valley and Nyoma village. Sitharaman also visited Sindhu Ghat and offered prayers. She interacted with Padma Shri awardee and Thiksey Gompa head Thiksay Khenpo Rinpoche, and Hemis Gompa, a Buddhist monastery of the Drukpa Lineage, on Sunday. The Union minister also visited the exhibition of local handicrafts and handloom products by self-help groups and local entrepreneurs. She interacted with the artisans, women-led self-help groups and local entrepreneurs, who showcased traditional crafts, handloom textiles and sustainable innovations at their stalls. Sitharaman virtually inaugurated several developmental projects in Leh, reaffirming the Centre's commitment of inclusive growth and infrastructure development in the region.
Indian Express
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Sonam Wangchuk: ‘Govt's Ladakh notifications a partial resolution… If our main issues not met, BJP will face the consequences'
The Centre on Tuesday notified a series of regulations aimed at addressing Ladakh's concerns over jobs and cultural preservation. The new legal framework introduces a domicile-based job reservation system, and talks of recognition of local languages and procedural clarity in civil service recruitment. However, it stops short of any safeguards regarding land, promise of a Legislature for the newly formed Union Territory, and extension of the Sixth Schedule of Constitution to Ladakh. Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been spearheading some of these demands, speaks to The Indian Express on the new regulations. Excerpts: * What is your view regarding the regulations the government has announced? To put things in perspective, the notification is only a partial resolution of the third point on the agenda of the negotiations between Ladakh and the Government of India. It was highest in terms of urgency, but low on priority. There was a concern regarding unemployment and that has been addressed. But our main issues are safeguarding our land and culture through Sixth Schedule protections… and the restoration of democracy. Ladakh has no form of people's participation at the moment. People have always expected constitutional safeguards for this region. The BJP assured us of the Sixth Schedule in two elections – the 2019 Lok Sabha polls and 2020 LAHDC (Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council) polls. It was part of their manifesto… People have expressed their displeasure by not electing the BJP in recent polls, and it will happen again if this issue is not addressed in the next talks that will be held in June and July. * The government notifications make no mention of land. This is only a partial resolution of our third point – of employment. It was mutually agreed by our leaders and the MHA (Union Ministry of Home Affairs) that they will first sort out the issue of employment of youth, and then issues of the Sixth Schedule and the rest would be taken up. But there is fear here as to what if the government just leaves things at this and doesn't take forward the main issues till the LAHDC elections. That will be a problem. So the coming two months are important (to gauge the government's sincerity). The next meeting (is expected to) discuss safeguards and democracy. If not, then the Hill Council elections will see an upheaval. … All Opposition parties have formally announced that if they (the government) resolve the main issues, they will offer the Hill Council elections on a platter to the BJP. But the reverse is also true: that if they do not address the main issue, they will face the consequences in the coming elections. * But you agree that the government has addressed the language and culture issue? That was never an issue. That was just mixed (in) as a feel-good factor. It was never demanded. At least it was not a part of the key issues. But it is a good step. * The demand from Ladakh was also for a 30-year-stay clause to get domicile. But the new regulations set this at 15 years. Yes. That is why I call it a partial resolution of our issues. People are not fully happy with the notifications. The demand was either 30 years or a cutoff date of 1989. But this issue will no longer figure in our negotiations. We hope that at the next two meetings, the real issues of safeguards and democracy will be taken up. Otherwise it will be a breach of trust and confidence. * Do you see the government's plans to open up Ladakh for the renewable energy industry as contrary to your demands regarding land safeguards? I always start with full hope and faith that the government will be sincere in its words and provide Sixth Schedule safeguards. As far as power projects and other industrial endeavours of national interest are concerned, it is the highest priority of Ladakhi people to be of use to the nation. Our only thing is it should be done in consultation with the people. The Sixth Schedule will not stop any important industrial project. It will only make Ladakhi people a partner in it. With the knowledge and wisdom they have about the land, it will be even better. But without the Sixth Schedule, people who know nothing about Ladakh are making big decisions. (For example) This big solar project without any consultation is earmarked at a place where the most precious Pashmina is produced. Those pastures will be gone. With public participation in such decisions, national interest will be served along with environmental protection. * Are you okay with the idea of no Sixth Schedule but similar protections? Yes, if these protections are based on the indigenous tribal identity of the local people. If they give similar protection or more, people will respond logically. But if you are ready to give all of those, why not the Sixth Schedule? * If the government gives you all the protections you are seeking but does not give you statehood or an Assembly, will that be acceptable? The Sixth Schedule and statehood are our main demands. Even if one of the two is given, it would be called progress. If both are denied, we will have to continue engaging in our struggle.
