Advisor Ladakh, Umang Narula convened a meeting regarding the preparation of action plans by individual departments for achieving a carbon-neutral status for Ladakh on June 17
 
The Advisor stated that the idea of a Carbon-Neutral Ladakh was envisioned by Prime Minister and it aims at planning future developmental activities to minimize carbon emissions. He stated that it is an intrinsic part of Vision 2050 for the development of Ladakh and carbon neutrality has to be embedded in every Department’s vision and action plan. He further informed that TERI has been nominated by Niti Aayog to prepare an action plan document and certain recommendations were made as to how to achieve carbon neutrality in various sectors.
 
The Advisor reviewed the implementation status of the Action plans prepared by the Departments for achieving carbon neutrality based on the broader suggested interventions presented by TERI.
 
Advisor directed that all Households in Ladakh should be encouraged to install solar cooking devices. Further steps are taken to promote the construction of solar passive residential, official and commercial buildings in the urban areas. Advisor further directed that all buildings should be accessible through a ramp or lift as per accessibility norms.
 
Similarly, the Tourism department was asked to promote homestay tourism which is sustainable and has a lower carbon footprint and in particular incentivise construction of solar passive homestay accommodation. 
 
The transport department was asked to plan the introduction of electric vehicles on a pilot basis for public and private transport and establish solar-powered charging stations. It was informed that the UT administration is in the process of procuring e-cars, e-buses and introducing e-rickshaws.
 
The Advisor exhorted upon utilizing existing water resources optimally to bring more area under cultivation and pastureland which can sequester carbon emissions. He asked the Agriculture & Horticulture departments and the Deputy Commissioners to focus on drip irrigation and other efficient methods of micro-irrigation such as ponds/Dzings to maximize the use of existing water resources and also focus on adoption of organic manure. 
 
The meeting was attended by Dr Pawan Kotwal, Principal Secretary; Ajeet Kumar Sahu, Commissioner /Secretary; Saugat Biswas, Secretary, /Divisional Commissioner; Padma Angmo, Secretary, Ravinder Kumar, Secretary and Preet Pal Singh, Chief Wildlife Warden.