As a part of ‘Swachh Bharat - Swachh Prayatan’ awareness program in the Union Territory of Ladakh, the Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management (IITTM) Gwalior organised a workshop themed on cleanliness and hygiene with different tourism stakeholders of Leh at Hotel Singge Palace, Leh  on January 20.

Deputy Chairman, LAHDC Leh, Tsering Angchuk was the chief guest at the inaugural session. He thanked IITTM Gwalior for organizing such a workshop for the tourism stakeholders of Leh and highlighted key aspects concerning sanitation and sustainable environment in Ladakh. 

He said that such workshops from a reputed institute like IITTM would help in introducing innovative ideas regarding sustainable environmental management in Ladakh and added that other parts of the nation can also learn from few projects on Solid Waste Management that are successfully functioning in Leh.

Deputy Chairman Angchuk highlighted the importance of a hygienic environment in the region and stressed adapting skills and manpower resources within the region to deal and manage different types of tourists during the peak seasons in Ladakh. 

Councillor Saspol, Smanla Dorjey Norboo also shared his experience and gave inputs like promotion of local toilets, use of refilling flask by replacing plastic bottles, use of green bags by hotels, and taxis and management of surface and groundwater in Ladakh. 

General manager, Hotel Singge Palace, Leh also highlighted the importance of hygiene and sanitation in Ladakh and stressed individual responsibilities in keeping Ladakh neat and clean. 

Director IITTM, Prof. Alok Sharma highlighted the challenges faced by the entire world with the management of garbages. Praising Ladakh, he said that the world can learn many positive things from Ladakh. He assured more support and assistance from IITTM for the tourism sector of Ladakh in providing skill development training and guidance.  

A documentary film on cleanliness and hygiene by the Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India was screened on occasion. A ‘Swachhta’ pledge was also taken in which all the participants assured their contribution to the “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan” campaign in keeping India clean.

Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management (IITTM) is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India, offering education, training, research, and consultancy in the sustainable management of tourism, travel, and other allied sectors.