LEH: Major General Praveen Chhabra, General Officer Commanding, 72 Sub Area, called on the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, at the LG Secretariat, Leh.
During the meeting, Major General Chhabra briefed the Lt Governor on the Indian Army’s ongoing initiatives to tackle solid waste and wastewater management in coordination with the Civil Administration. He informed that the Army is adopting improved waste segregation, disposal, and treatment methods, and expressed willingness to collaborate with the UT Administration to develop sustainable, climate-appropriate solutions for Ladakh.
He also highlighted the Army’s interest in working jointly with the Civil Administration to provide skill training to ex-servicemen, enabling them to engage in tourism-linked livelihoods, particularly as mountaineering guides and homestay operators in remote parts of the Union Territory.
The Lt Governor stressed the importance of a coordinated and sustained approach between the Army and Civil Administration to address Ladakh’s environmental challenges — notably solid and liquid waste management and the control of stray and feral dog populations.
Emphasising the need to preserve Ladakh’s unique ecological balance, Gupta called for year-round solutions for wastewater and faecal sludge treatment that remain effective even during harsh winters. He noted that untreated wastewater poses threats to underground water reserves, the Indus River, public health, and the tourism sector.
Appreciating Ladakh’s people for their environmental awareness, particularly in reducing plastic use, the Lt Governor said joint efforts by the UT Administration and the Indian Army could help transform Leh into a model “Green City.” He also encouraged the engagement of ex-servicemen and local youth in wildlife conservation and eco-tourism through skill-based opportunities in homestays, mountaineering, and solar energy.
Commending the Indian Army’s proactive environmental and community initiatives, the Lt Governor reiterated the Administration’s commitment to working closely with defence establishments to promote sustainable development in Ladakh. He expressed confidence that such collaboration would not only strengthen environmental protection but also enhance livelihood opportunities, paving the way for a cleaner, greener, and more resilient Ladakh.
Meanwhile, Colonel Prashant Singh Thakur, Commanding Officer of 127 Light Air Defence Regiment, along with fellow officers, also paid a courtesy visit to the Lt Governor at the Secretariat.
The Lt Governor appreciated the services and dedication of Army personnel in safeguarding the nation’s borders and maintaining peace in the region, extending his best wishes for their continued success.
