Marking the World Environment Day celebration on the theme, ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’ an awareness programme was organised by Municipal Committee Leh and LEDeG on June 5 at Main Market, Leh.

The awareness programme was aimed to reduce the increasing plastic pollution which is one among the greatest environmental challenges of the time.

Tsering Sandup, EC Tourism chief guest said, “Despite knowing the environmental issues and its negative impacts we still neglect and don’t think about the future. The responsibility of environment protection lies on every individual but most of the time people usually end up blaming the government for everything”.

He further added that the words of the experts who educate and remind us about the environmental issues need to be practically implemented in our daily life.

Tsering Sandup assured to spend ₹12 crore collected from the environmental fees on environment protection.

Dr. Nordan Odzer, Execute Director, LEDeG said, “The increase in the influx of tourists every year is no doubt a boon for Ladakh, but the enormous waste generated is a matter of concern”.

“According to a survey conducted by LEDeG last year, 30 litres of water a day is consumed by locals whereas the tourist consumes 130 litres a day. And this is the biggest hint for the water scarcity. Spring water is a history now because nowadays people have their own borewells and hand pumps. We are using the groundwater at large and it has to inform that 90% of water is non-drinkable as it is mixed with excrements”, he added.

Dr. Nordan Odzer urged people to start working on ensuring a healthy environment.

Dr. Jigmet Yangchen, Junior Scientist, SKUAST and Tsetan Angchuk President, All Ladakh Tour Operators Association also spoke on the occasion.

A dance performance by Art of Motion Academy and the skit was performed by Ladakh Film Society.