Mega plantation drive organised by Live to Love, Young Drukpa Association, Trees for Life in association with LAHDC Leh commenced at Liktsey village in Rong Churgyud on May 17.

 Lieutenant Governor, Brig (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd) along with CEC Tashi Gyalson; Member of Parliament, Ladakh, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal; EC Stanzin Chosphel, HE Drukpa Thuksey Rinpoche and HE Drubpon Khamtak Rinpoche Jigmet Nawang Namgyal inaugurated the mega plantation drive in which around 1.5 lakh tree saplings were planted.
 
The mega plantation drive is an initiative to tackle the issue of climate change for the protection of the environment and to improve the green cover in Ladakh as per the vision of His Holiness Gyalwang Drukpa Rinpoche.
 
His Holiness Gyalwang Drukpa Rinpoche, in a video message, expressed his gratitude to all the participants and supporters for making the plantation drive successful. He highlighted the importance of taking necessary initiatives to preserve our fragile environment.
 
 LG, Brig (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd), appreciating the organisers and all the organisations/departments, the elected representatives/villagers of the Rong Churgyud area along with monks/nuns for conducting the plantation drive at such a large scale.

LG stated that the sapling will turn into an orchard and attract everyone to the place and will prove beneficial for the current as well as future generations. He stated that more such plantation drives should be carried out in Ladakh. He also informed about the plan to establish a co-ed Sainik School with the best faculty in Ladakh to provide the best possible education to the youth of Ladakh. He sought cooperation from the people of Ladakh in this regard and also to make Ladakh a ‘Corruption and Delay-Free’ UT. He hoped to see Ladakh grow into one of the best Union Territories of India.
 
CEC Tashi Gyalson appreciated the effort of the Khamtak Rinpoche and all the people and organisations engaged in making the plantation drive successful. He emphasized the importance of the plantation of trees and their role in tackling the issue of carbon emission and climate change. He highlighted the importance of planting cash crops such as apples and apricots for the benefit of the farmers. CEC Tashi Gyalson highlighted the support provided by LAHDC Leh for making the plantation drive successful.
 
MP Ladakh Jamyang Tsering Namgyal also appreciated the organisers for organizing this Mega Plantation Drive. He addressed the evidence for the rapid climate change and it is compelling, to combat that Mega Plantation Drive like this seems to be necessary. He appreciated the efforts of every organisations/departments, the elected representatives/villagers for organising events on such a large scale.
 
 Representatives from religious organisations also addressed the gathering and appreciated the efforts of the organising committee under the guidance of His Eminence Drubpon Khamtak Rinpoche Jigmet Nawang Namgyal.
 
 All the dignitaries were felicitated by the organisers during the event. 
 
 A vibrant cultural performance was showcased by the villagers and students along with a dragon dance by the Kungfu Nuns.
 
H.E. Gyalwa Dokhampa; H.E. Thuksey Rinpoche; H.E. Khamtak Rinpoche; H.E. Chosam Rinpoche; H.E. Kunga Rinpoche; H.E. Tsamtrul Rinpoche; H.E. Gomchan Tulku. Executive Councillor Agriculture, Stanzin Chosphel; DC Leh, Councillors from Lamayuru, Thiksey, Temisgam, Lower Leh, Phyang, Kungyam; sarpanch and nambardars from different villages, President LBA, Anjuman Imamia and Anjuman Moin-ul Islam; Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Nyoma; officials from Ladakh Police, Indian Army, ITBP and volunteers from across Ladakh Ladakh Police DSP; District and Sub-divisional officers, officers from Indian Army & ITBP and volunteers from across Ladakh were present during the event.