A daylong conference on World Water Day themed, 'Water Supply and Sanitation in Cold Climates- All Year 24x7 Water Supply, Waste Management' was held on March 22 in Kargil.

The event was organised by Housing and Urban Development Department, Ladakh in collaboration with BORDA and LEDeG. Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, R K Mathur presided over as the chief guest virtually.

Speaking on the occasion, LG Mathur thanked the participants from outside Ladakh for sharing their knowledge and expertise in water management that would help Ladakh address the water shortage and conservation issues. He expressed concerns over the receding glaciers and dried up springs which are resulting in water shortages in villages. He informed that UT Administration has drafted a Ladakh Vision 2050 in which an efficient water management plan with a sustainable solution is one of the primary focuses.

Lieutenant Governor observed the need to address water shortage issues in Ladakh in a sustainable way, incorporating scientific techniques and traditional good practices.  He cited the example of a pilot project being executed at Latoo village in Kargil where through solar power water is being lifted about 200 meters into a reservoir of 1 lakh liters capacity. He also emphasized the need to correlate water problems and women's work. We need to make them free to contribute to the economic growth of the family and the region. 

Making a mention of Jal Jeevan Abhiyan, he said that under this scheme UT Administration is making all efforts to provide a specified quantity of drinking water to every household in Ladakh by 2022. He said that it’s a challenging project given the climatic and geographic features of the region. However, he added that Ladakh has always accepted challenges and this target too will be achieved.  He said that the water needs of around 3 lakh population of Ladakh, tourists, and a sizeable portion of the Armed Forces need be met. He exhorted on the need to frame policies considering these three target groups. 

CEC, LAHDC, Kargil Feroz Ahmad Khan highlighted the challenges faced due to extremely cold weather, climate change, and water shortage problems. He said that this conference will prove to be a good opportunity to discuss and deliberate on ways to improve water supply and sanitation service delivery in the cold arid region of Ladakh. He added that ideas would also emerge to address the challenges in ensuring an all-weather affordable water supply and sanitation service system.

Commissioner Secretary, Urban Local Bodies Ladakh, Ajeet Kumar Sahu said that in Ladakh challenges regarding water are different from the rest of the country and this conference would provide the platform for the exchange of knowledge and information on water and sanitation issues. Besides, it would help get specific ideas on viable management and technical solutions in the context of Ladakh, showcase innovation and best practices, and to foster partnership and networking. 

Sahu stressed the need to look for decentralized solutions to address the problems related to quality water supply and sanitation.

Speakers and experts spoke in detail about the themes based on providing and managing drinking water supply, cold climate technologies and practices, public utilities, and waste management.