Leh, Oct 13 (KNO): Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Tuesday chaired the first meeting of the Advisory Council of the Union Territory of Ladakh to review major developmental initiatives and discuss key issues concerning the region's growth.
Highlighting the Administration's commitment to water security, Saxena, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), discussed Project Him Sarovar, which envisages the creation of water storage ponds to harness glacial and snowmelt runoff.
He urged council members to suggest innovative measures to strengthen climate resilience, boost tourism and create employment opportunities for local youth.
On the Pashmina sector, the Lieutenant Governor said the Administration has extended a 25 per cent subsidy to Pashmina wool growers and aims to increase the Pashmina goat population to four lakh by next year.
Referring to sea buckthorn promotion, Saxena said Ladakh produced 2,200 tonnes of the crop this year. He added that a processing plant is being established in Nubra to enhance value addition and expand market opportunities.
The Lieutenant Governor also stressed the need for glacier conservation in view of the challenges posed by global warming, saying Ladakh's fragile ecology requires proactive measures to ensure long-term climate resilience.
Appreciating the suggestions put forward by Advisory Council members, Saxena assured that the Administration would continue addressing key public concerns. He announced that the council would meet again soon to review progress and discuss future plans.
The meeting was attended by Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC Kargil, Dr Mohammed Jaffer Akhoon; Member of Parliament from Ladakh, Mohammed Hanifa Jan; religious and community representatives; former civil servants; and senior UT Administration officials, including the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police. Some members joined the meeting virtually—(KNO)