In response to the growing challenge of land degradation in Ladakh, which has transformed vast stretches of fertile land into barren cold deserts, Lieutenant Governor of UT Ladakh, Vinai Kumar Saxena, has launched an ambitious ecological restoration project aimed at reclaiming degraded land and revitalising it into fertile ecosystems.

Acting on the directions of the Lieutenant Governor, nearly 800 acres of barren land near Spituk village in Leh have been identified for the innovative pilot initiative. The land, which has remained barren for centuries, is being rejuvenated using excess and unutilised water from the adjoining Igoo–Phey irrigation canal, recently restored and made operational under the supervision of the L-G.

Under the project, freshwater is being diverted and spread across the land through temporary channels and minor earthwork interventions using tractors and other machinery. The initiative seeks to improve soil moisture and trigger a process of natural ecological regeneration.

Receiving less than 100 mm of annual rainfall, Ladakh relies heavily on glacial meltwater for survival. However, rapid runoff during early spring often prevents adequate groundwater recharge, leading to soil erosion and the gradual degradation of agricultural fields into arid wastelands.

The project aims to alter the local ecosystem through simple and hyper-local freshwater engineering solutions. By allowing freshwater to percolate into the soil, the initiative is expected to recharge depleted groundwater reserves, encourage the growth of natural vegetation and create conditions suitable for sustainable agriculture and afforestation.

Officials said freshwater discharge would help flush out toxic salts, rehydrate dry subsoil layers and dissolve essential nutrients necessary for plant growth. The initiative is expected to yield both immediate and long-term ecological and economic benefits.

Key objectives of the project include groundwater recharge through enhanced percolation, restoration of native vegetation, soil stabilisation to reduce erosion, desalinisation of degraded land and the development of agricultural and livestock potential in the reclaimed areas.

“This initiative is expected to become a model for sustainable irrigation expansion, improved agricultural productivity and ecological restoration across Ladakh. Nearly 800 acres of barren land are being watered using excess water from the Igoo–Phey Canal to increase soil moisture and initiate natural rejuvenation,” said LG Saxena.

The initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s national goal of restoring 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030.

The project follows the successful implementation of the innovative ‘Project Him Sarovar’, launched under the leadership of LG Saxena to harness snow resources for long-term water security through the creation of small water bodies.

Additionally, the crucial Igoo–Phey Canal, designed to irrigate over 4,300 hectares of land across several villages in Ladakh and lying unused for several years, was successfully restored and made operational on May 15, 2026.