Leh, April 17: The Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Ladakh, Vinai Kumar Saxena, on Wednesday inaugurated the first operational water body developed under Project Him Sarovar, a conservation initiative aimed at ensuring long-term water security in the region. The inauguration took place in Stok village, a week after the project’s official launch on April 10.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the Lieutenant Governor personally operationalised the water body by releasing glacial meltwater into it. This marks a significant step in the project’s objective to conserve snowmelt and address water scarcity challenges in Ladakh. The initiative was expedited following the Lieutenant Governor’s visit to Stok village on March 26, during which he had directed the renovation of the reservoir at Phikar.
The newly operationalised water body was created by restoring a heavily silted depression in Stok village. During his earlier visit, the Lieutenant Governor had instructed the administration to clean, dredge, and de-silt the depression. The area was subsequently stone-pitched with active support from local residents to prevent water seepage. The water body, spanning 1,824 square meters, has the capacity to hold approximately 35 lakh litres of water, which is expected to benefit around 150 hectares of land within its command area.
Addressing attendees at the inauguration, Lieutenant Governor Saxena expressed satisfaction with the swift realization of his vision. He highlighted that Stok village is spearheading the implementation of Project Him Sarovar, which he described as critical for water security in Ladakh. He emphasized the importance of active public participation for the project’s success.
Under Phase I of Project Him Sarovar, a total of 50 water bodies are planned – 30 in Leh district and 20 in Kargil district. This phase aims to cover nearly 25 percent of villages across Ladakh. Lieutenant Governor Saxena voiced optimism that Project Him Sarovar would encompass approximately 50 percent of Ladakh’s villages within a year. He underscored the necessity of scientific water management and innovative, sustainable solutions to combat the growing challenges posed by climate change and water scarcity in the region. The project, he stated, is designed to act as a shield against climate change while ensuring water security and serving as a model of convergence, involving government departments, armed forces, and local communities.
During his visit, Lieutenant Governor Saxena also announced his decision to adopt Stok village for holistic, sustainable, and inclusive development, envisioning it as a self-reliant and culturally vibrant model village. He indicated that Stok, along with Likir, is being developed as a blueprint for sustainable rural development in Ladakh. He also launched work on block-paving the roads within Stok, anticipating that the infrastructure improvements would enhance the village’s aesthetic appeal and provide a cleaner environment for residents and tourists alike. He stressed the importance of Ladakhi hospitality and encouraged tourists to have memorable experiences, promoting organic farming, solar energy utilization, and strengthening tourism infrastructure as key focus areas for Stok’s development.
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