Solar Cheese (Churpey) Drier was distributed by Gyal P Wangyal, CEC at DC Conference hall on November 13. 

Churpey- the traditional form of cheese is a product of buttermilk obtained after churning out the butter and separating the whey after boiling the buttermilk and is rich in proteins, omega 3 fatty acids and antioxidants. 

Gyal P. Wangyal, CEC congratulated DC Leh Sachin Kumar for the idea behind it and appreciated A&SH department for its implementation in making the solar churpey drier. He termed it as the need of the hour to make the product more hygienic and sustainable for consumption as well for further selling it in the market. 

“In due course of time it should also be included in the organic category as the beneficiaries of this project are from areas where the animals are grazed at pasturelands and have limited access to compounded cattle feed,” added CEC Wangyal. 

Konchok Stanzin, EC Education emphasized on working on its value addition of churpey and other local products like yak and goat cheese, hair and wool, for the greater benefit of the farmers, growers and livestock rearers. 

Sachin Kumar, DC Leh said that on request of Kharnak villagers for a churpey drier, he came up with the idea of a solar and hygienic product. He appreciated the valuable contributions of some of the departmental heads who helped to bring out a low-cost, hygiene, and eco-friendly solar churpey drier.

Dr. Mohd Baqir, Chief Animal Husbandry Officer Leh and Dr. Tsewang Morup also spoke on the occasion. 

Later, Gyal Wangyal, CEC also distributed Solar Churpey Driers to the Self Help Groups from Changthang, Digar, Tangyar, Durbuk, Tangtse and others.