LG Saxena Inaugurates First Water Body Under ‘Project Him Sarovar’ in Ladakh
LEH, Apr 17: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Vinai Kumar Saxena on Thursday inaugurated the first water body under Project Him Sarovar at Stok village, marking a significant step towards ensuring long-term water security in the Union Territory.
The Lieutenant Governor also operationalised the reservoir by releasing glacial melt into it, barely a week after the launch of the project on April 10. The initiative envisages the creation of small water bodies across Ladakh to conserve snowmelt and address water scarcity challenges.
The newly developed water body at Stok has been created by restoring a heavily silted depression, which was cleaned, dredged, and stone-pitched with active community participation to prevent seepage. Spread over 1,824 square metres, the reservoir has a capacity of nearly 35 lakh litres and is expected to benefit around 150 hectares of land.
Expressing satisfaction over the swift execution of the project within three weeks of his visit on March 26, Saxena said that Stok village is leading the implementation of Project Him Sarovar and will play a crucial role in addressing water scarcity in the region.
He emphasised the need for active public participation, describing the initiative as critical for ensuring water security and combating the effects of climate change in Ladakh.
Under Phase I of the project, the administration plans to develop 50 water bodies—30 in Leh and 20 in Kargil—covering nearly 25 per cent of villages in Ladakh. The Lieutenant Governor expressed optimism that the project would extend to nearly 50 per cent of villages within a year.
Highlighting the importance of scientific water management, Saxena said the project would serve as a model of convergence involving government departments, armed forces, and local communities, while acting as a shield against climate change.
During his visit, the Lieutenant Governor also announced the adoption of Stok village to develop it into a model village that is self-reliant, culturally vibrant, and sustainable. He said that Stok, along with Likir, is being envisioned as a benchmark for holistic rural development in the region.
He further launched infrastructure works, including block-paving of roads in the village, aimed at improving aesthetics and providing a clean, dust-free environment for residents and tourists.
Saxena stressed the importance of promoting organic farming, solar energy, and tourism infrastructure, while urging locals to offer visitors a memorable experience of Ladakhi hospitality, positioning Stok as a premier tourist destination.
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