Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd) participated in the Mega Plantation Drive jointly organised by UT Administration, LAHDC Leh and Forest Division, Leh at Kunga Skyedtsal Ling, Stakna on April 25.

LG planted a willow tree sapling. He commended the wide participation of villagers during the mass plantation drive at Stakna with the right intention to improve green cover in Ladakh. He expressed hope for an increased survival rate of the saplings seeing the wide participation of villagers planting using modern techniques such as drip irrigation. 

Terming the plantation drive programme as a step towards the holistic development of society, economy and nature, he stated that future generations will reap the benefits of the plantation of trees in today’s time.

He appreciated the participative culture of the people of Ladakh along with their desire to serve Mother Nature and termed them as ideal citizens. Terming the plantation of trees as virtuous work, he hoped for such continued efforts for protecting nature from the people of Ladakh and assured of all possible assistance in this regard. He stated that the youth, who took part in the plantation drive, would learn to protect Mother Nature and would strive to conserve it.

LG informed about his plans to make Ladakh a ‘Corruption and Delay-Free’ Union Territory. He stated that corruption needs to be eradicated to ensure the holistic development of Ladakh and India. He also informed about the instructions passed to the Departmental Secretaries/Head of Departments to listen to the grievances of the citizens of Ladakh and take steps to resolve the issue.  

Executive Councillor, Agriculture, Stanzin Chosphel, informed about the plantation of 5,000 saplings spread over 100 kanals of land using solar-based drip irrigation technique. He also informed that the plantation drive is a tribute to His Eminence Stakna Rinpoche.

The residents of Stakna village requested LG’s intervention in the extension of the courtyard (Chham-ra) at Stakna monastery and the widening and extension of the main irrigation canal of Stakna village.