world environment day
Ladakh Ecological Development Group (LEDeG) in collaboration with Municipal Committee Leh organised World Environment Day in the Leh main market on June 5. The theme for this year’s environment day was ‘Beat Plastic Pollution.’ Shri Tsering Sangdup, Executive Councillor (EC) Tourism, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), was the chief guest at the occasion. RigzinSpalgon, Administrator, Municipal Committee Leh, Tsetan Angchuk, President of All Ladakh Tour Operators Association (ALTOA), Dr. Jigmet Yangchan, junior scientist at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Haji Riyaz Ahmed, President of Merchant Association Leh, media persons from Times of Ladakh, Reach Ladakh, District Information Office, State Times, All India Radio, were present at the occasion.
The main sponsors for this event were ALTOA, ICICI Bank, Grand Dragon, Yak Tail, Zen Ladakh and Nomadic Way tours and travels.
Dr NordAn Otzer, Executive Director of LEDeG, made the welcome speech and apprised the general public about the scarcity of water and menace of soak pits that has led to the contamination of drinking water in Leh. He also appealed to the public to take steps to get rid of plastic waste. Ladakh Film Society, led by its president Tsering Sonam Sopari, presented a skit on the exploitation of Mother Earth by the humans. They also performed a song, ‘Amey Nyingstam’ (Mother’s Plight), which addresses the current issues faced by people of Ladakh. The Art of Motion, a dance group from Leh, also performed on the occasion.
ALTOA president Tsetan Angchuk shared that tour operators in Leh have launched a campaign to keep the environment clean. He also informed that they will clean plastic waste and the environment at Stok Kangri base camp under the Swach Bharat Abhiyan in collaboration with Government of India. He also appealed to the people to keep Leh clean.
Dr Jigmet Yangchan said that her mission was to conserve Indus River and she had been fighting for the cause for the last four years. She said that majority of residents of Leh area draw 74% of drinking water from the Indus River and steps must be taken to preserve this source of drinking water for the public.
Shri Tsering Sangdup, the chief guest, thanked LEDeG and MCL for organising the event. He also appealed to the general public not to raise their fingers at the government as they have been making lots of efforts to find a solution for solid waste. He asked the people of Leh to come together and work for a clean and plastic-free environment. Speaking on the occasion, the EC Tourism said that Rs 12 crore, which has been amassed from the environment fee levied upon the tourists, will be spent on a project which is beneficial for the people of Leh.
Tenzin Motup, the event manager, made the thank you speech which marked the end of a wonderful evening.