Leh: Major General Praveen Chhabra, General Officer Commanding, 72 Sub Area, today paid a courtesy visit to the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, at the LG Secretariat, Leh.
During the meeting, Major General Praveen Chhabra briefed the Lt Governor about the Indian Army’s initiatives to address issues related to solid waste and wastewater management in coordination with the Civil Administration. He informed that the Army is adopting measures to improve waste segregation, disposal and treatment, and expressed readiness to work closely with the UT Administration to develop sustainable solutions suitable for Ladakh’s climatic conditions.
Major General Chhabra also apprised the Lt Governor of the Army’s interest in collaborating with the Civil Administration for imparting skill training to ex-servicemen, enabling them to take up roles in tourism-related activities, particularly as mountaineering guides and homestay operators in remote areas of Ladakh.
The Lt Governor emphasised the need for a coordinated and sustained approach between the Civil Administration and the Indian Army to effectively deal with environmental challenges in Ladakh, particularly the management of solid and liquid waste and control of the growing population of stray and feral dogs.
Highlighting the importance of maintaining Ladakh’s unique ecology, the Lt Governor called for year-round, viable solutions for wastewater and faecal sludge treatment that could function efficiently even during the extreme winter months. He observed that untreated wastewater poses a risk to underground water reserves and the Indus River, besides affecting public health and the tourism sector.
The Lt. Governor appreciated the people of Ladakh for their environmental consciousness, especially in minimising plastic use, and stressed that combined efforts of the UT Administration and the Army could help make Leh a model “Green City.” He further underlined the need to engage ex-servicemen and local youth in addressing threats to wildlife and tourism. He suggested creating livelihood opportunities for them through skill development programmes in sectors such as homestays, mountaineering, and solar energy.
The Lt Governor commended the Indian Army’s proactive initiatives and reiterated the Administration’s commitment to working in close coordination with defence establishments to promote sustainable development in Ladakh. He expressed confidence that such collaborative efforts would not only strengthen environmental protection but also contribute to enhancing livelihood opportunities and ensuring a cleaner, greener, and more resilient Ladakh.
Meanwhile, Colonel Prashant Singh Thakur, Commanding Officer of 127 Light Air Defence Regiment, along with fellow officers, today paid a courtesy visit to the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Shri Kavinder Gupta, at the LG Secretariat, Leh.
During the interaction, the Lt Governor appreciated the services and dedication of the Army personnel towards safeguarding the nation’s borders and maintaining peace in the region. He also conveyed his best wishes to the officers for their continued success in all future endeavours.