Talk Series ALTOA, Hotel Association

Activity: Talk Series: The need for solid waste and waste water management in Leh Town
Date: June 11, 2018
Location: LEDeG Office, Karzoo
Participants: 32
Speaker(s): Tsetan Angchuk, President, All Ladakh Tour Operators Association (ALTOA), Tashi Motup Kau, President, All Ladakh Hotels and Guest Houses Association

1. Objective: To discuss the problem of solid waste and waste water management in Leh Town from the perspective of tour operators and hotels/guest houses in Leh who are major stakeholders in tourism industry in Leh
2. Summary Agenda: June 11- Time Activity PiC 4:30 PM Welcome Speech Dr Nordan Otzer 4:45 PM Guest speaker Tsetan Angchuk 5:05 PM Guest Speaker Tashi Motup Kau 5:40 PM Question & Answer Session 6:20 PM Thank you speech Tenzin Motup
3. Summary of Results:
    Dr Nordan: Leh produces about 14 tonnes of solid waste every day. Most of the wastewater seeps into the ground thereby contaminating the groundwater.
    The proximity of the bore-wells and soak pit results in leeching which contaminates the groundwater
    Most of the people are not aware of the difference between soak pit and septic tank
    Tsetan Angchuk: Uncontrolled nature of tourism putting a lot of strain on the natural resources
    ALTOA to carry out a pilot project in Stok Kangri which is funded by the Government of India.
    Tashi Motup Kau: There are two reasons for the contamination of groundwater,
   1) Inappropriate design of septic tanks,
   2) Irregular cleaning of the septic tanks
    The Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant constructed by the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) with technical support from BORDA and LEDeG has been a blessing for the hotels, guest houses and households in Leh
    Tashi Motup: Earlier, we spent Rs 10,000-12,000 for cleaning the septic tanks but now we spend just Rs 3,500 for a tank of 3,500 litres.