UT Administration launched various initiatives as a part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav on the second anniversary of Ladakh’s Union Territory status on August 5.

RK Mathur flagged off the sustainable cleanliness drive with the tagline ‘Swachh Ladakh Swasth Ladakh’, five e-buses each for Leh and Kargil districts, and a cycle rally organised by Ladakh Police in which more than 50 cyclists took part. He also handed over the keys of Refuge Compactor and Grabbing Machine to the Municipal Committee Leh and launched the bilingual magazine, ‘Leh Phonya’ published by the Department of Information and Public Relations.

Leh Phonya, a century-old publication was started by the Moravian Missionaries in the first decade of the 20th century under the name Ladakh Phonya. The publication aimed at disseminating information on important policies and schemes implemented by the Administration and LAHDC, Leh in Leh district, and highlighting notable stories and achievements.

Addressing the gathering, LG Mathur highlighted the role of the local community in maintaining a clean environment. He sought cooperation from the residents in keeping Ladakh clean to achieve a healthy society.

Citing various initiatives taken by the villagers and residents in cleaning and conserving the ecosystem, LG Mathur termed Ladakhi society as culturally conscious of cleanliness and sanitation habits. He also stressed the need for inculcating the habit of generating minimal garbage and removing single-use plastic from the lives of the people. He also urged the need for strictly following the practice of waste segregation and recycling for a successful waste management system.

Chairman/CEC, LAHDC Leh, Adv Tashi Gyalson, appreciated the steps taken by the UT Administration led by LG Mathur in starting several initiatives. He emphasized the need for mass participation in making such initiatives successful in protecting the natural resources and the fragile ecosystem of Ladakh. He urged the people of Ladakh to contribute to building a strong foundation for the newly formed Union territory of Ladakh.

Secretary Tourism, Mehboob Ali Khan shared that the cleanliness drive would be held from August 5 to 15. He highlighted the initiative of the Tourism Department is conducting a cleanliness drive every month to keep Ladakh clean.

Advisor, Umang Narula; ADGP Ladakh, Satish Khandare; Divisional Commissioner, Saugat Biswas; Inspector General, BS Tuti; Secretary Information, Padma Angmo, Secretary, Animal Husbandry, Ravinder Kumar; SSP Rajiv Pandey; Deputy Commissioner, Leh, Shrikant Suse, and concerned officials from different organizations and NGOs were present during the occasion.