The assurance was given by Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra during his two-day visit to Zanskar.

Kundra reviewed various construction and developmental works in and around Padum and interacted with local residents and delegations, they said

A delegation led by the local representative submitted a memorandum highlighting various developmental and infrastructure-related demands, including restoration of the temple, reconstruction of the link road and Zangla bridge, funds for parking facilities at Buddha Park, establishment of a library and improved telecommunications infrastructure, they said.

Kundra assured them that the matters would be examined by the departments concerned.

The chief secretary addressed a public gathering in Zangla village and interacted with residents. He inspected works being implemented under the special development package, including the new police station building, tourism department’s amphitheatre and munsif court building.

At the munsif court construction site, he stressed the need for an integrated judicial complex accommodating both the revenue court and munsif court to ensure better coordination and efficient delivery of judicial services.

He also visited Government Degree College, Padum, Community Health Centre and Handloom Weaving Centre, where he reviewed ongoing activities and assessed infrastructure requirements.

Kundra directed the officers to ensure timely completion of ongoing works while maintaining quality standards and addressing the requirements of the local population.

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Buoyed by the stupendous success of the Lilium flower fields in Ladakh, Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has undertaken another agricultural-diversification exercise of growing saffron in the cold desert of Ladakh. As an ambitious experiment, nearly 800 kg corms (90,000 nos.) of premium Iranian saffron have been planted over nearly 4000 square meters of land, which was earlier barren and has been recently restored and rejuvenated, as part of Project Him Sarovar, under the guidance of L-G Saxena. Agriculture experts said these saffron corms are expected to produce a good quantity of saffron.

The initiative is guided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of diversifying traditional agricultural practices for financial sustainability and economic empowerment of the farmers and the youth. Saffron plantation in Ladakh builds on the Administration’s successful experiment with high-value floriculture, particularly the massive cultivation of Lilium and Gladiolus in Leh, that has opened new employment and livelihood opportunities for farmers, Self-Help Groups and other local entrepreneurs.

The pilot saffron cultivation is being undertaken at Command Area Gate No. 27 at Spituk Pharka in Leh. For this purpose, high-quality Iranian saffron corms with a circumference of 8 to 10 cm, a diameter of 2.5 to 3 cm or larger, and a weight of 10 grams or more, which are considered the best corms, have been planted. These specifications are considered suitable for high-quality saffron production.

L-G Saxena said the saffron plantation has immense potential to strengthen our local economy by introducing another high-value crop under Ladakh’s unique high-altitude agro-climatic conditions. This, he said, would also bust the myth that saffron cannot be grown in Ladakh and that the barren or degraded land could not be restored.

“Our endeavour is to transform degraded and barren land into productive assets and create new opportunities for our farmers. The introduction of saffron is another important experiment in crop diversification, which can open a new avenue for enhancing farmers’ incomes through a premium-value crop,” said L-G Saxena.

Saffron is a high-value crop with strong market demand and commands a premium price, offering the potential to provide farmers with an additional and remunerative source of income. Jammu and Kashmir is the primary region for saffron cultivation in India, accounting for approximately 90 per cent of the country’s total production. Its introduction in Ladakh is, therefore, being undertaken as a pilot to assess its suitability to the region’s climatic conditions and explore its economic potential.

It may be noted that the saffron plantation site is part of the 800 acres of land being restored in Leh by bringing fresh water from the adjoining Igoo–Phey irrigation canal, which was recently restored and operationalised. On the directions of the Lieutenant Governor, unutilised or excess water from the canal is being channelled towards the barren land to increase its moisture content and make it suitable for cultivation.

The Command Area also has four water ponds as part of Project Him Sarovar, which are located adjacent to the site, with a combined storage capacity of around 24 million litres.

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The increase in emoluments by over 233 per cent is the first revision in the last 10 years, which will benefit 247 ‘gobas’ across Ladakh, officials said.

The lieutenant governor said the decision would provide greater financial support to village heads, also known as ‘nambardars’ and strengthen participatory governance at the grassroots level, particularly in remote and difficult-to-access areas.

The revised emoluments will come into force from the date of publication of the notification in the official gazette.

The officials said that the decision follows a long-standing demand of ‘nambardars’ to increase their emoluments.

“During his visits to villages across Ladakh, Saxena had received representations from ‘gobas’ regarding the issue. On September 19, a delegation of ‘nambardars’ from different villages also met the LG and sought an increase, citing their responsibilities and the inadequacy of the existing emoluments,” they said.

Taking note of their concerns, Saxena directed the chief secretary to examine the matter and address the issue.

“Nambardars occupy an important position at the grassroots level and act as a link between the administration and villagers,” they said. Their role has assumed greater significance with the focus on last-mile delivery of public services and implementation of government initiatives, they added.

The officials said their regular engagement with villagers helps communicate local requirements to authorities while enabling people to access various government schemes and services.

The LG also noted the proactive role played by ‘nambardars’ in highlighting local issues. “Several water-related issues addressed in villages through initiatives undertaken by him were based on inputs provided by the gobas”, they said.

“The role of nambardars is crucial because they remain closely connected with the people and serve as a vital link between the administration and our villages. The enhancement from Rs 1,500 to Rs 5,000 per month recognises their responsibilities and long-standing demand,” Saxena said.

“I am confident this step will further strengthen their role in ensuring that development programmes, welfare schemes and government services reach every household in a timely and effective manner, while further strengthening participatory governance,” he said.

The revised emoluments have been fixed under the provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Lambardari Act, 1972 and the Jammu and Kashmir Lambardari Rules, 1980, as applicable to the Union Territory of Ladakh. (Agencies)

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The Ladakh Lieutenant Governor said the initiative was conceived as a long-term solution aimed at strengthening water security, agricultural sustainability and climate resilience in the Union Territory.

According to the LG, work on the pilot structures began on May 27, when the river’s water flow was around 20 cusecs. Five rock check dams were subsequently constructed using locally sourced boulders from the riverbed, without the use of cement, concrete or steel.

During the peak summer months, the water flow reportedly increased to more than 200 cusecs, providing an important test of the strength and stability of the newly constructed structures.

With the onset of winter, the river’s flow has now declined sharply to around 30 cusecs.

An inspection team comprising engineers was recently deputed to assess the stability, strength and condition of all five check dams and determine whether they had sustained any damage due to the high water pressure during summer.

The inspection found that the structures had largely withstood the intense water pressure of more than 200 cusecs.

However, a minor breach was reported in the first rock check dam at Upshi near Leh. The damaged portion is being repaired by engineers, the LG said.

The inspection also revealed that a deposit of fine-quality washed sand upstream had contributed to further enhancing the stability of the rock structures.

The Ladakh administration described the pilot projects as an important learning experience that would provide technical insight for the design and execution of future check dams.

The experience, the LG said, would help engineers improve future projects and make them more durable, resilient and effective.

The initiative has also received support from local communities, whose participation has been described as an important component of the effort to address Ladakh’s water and agricultural challenges.

The LG expressed gratitude to the people and communities for their support, reiterating the administration’s commitment to holistic development, water conservation, agricultural sustainability and climate resilience in Ladakh.

The rock check dam initiative is being viewed as a pilot intervention aimed at exploring low-cost, locally sourced and environmentally sustainable approaches to water management in the high-altitude region.

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The LAB, in collaboration with the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), has intensified efforts for constitutional and political safeguards for Ladakh since its designation as a Union Territory in August 2019. Its agitation seeks to address long-standing grievances regarding governance and representation.

The group’s major demands encompass crucial legislative measures for Ladakh at the Union Territory level, inclusion of protective measures under Article 371, withdrawal of criminal cases linked to last year’s violence on September 24, as well as compensation for victims and publication of an inquiry commission report into the events.

LAB chairman Chering Dorje Lakruk welcomed the upcoming MHA meeting but stressed that the success of the talks would hinge on tangible outcomes. In his statements, he emphasized, “If the meeting produces a positive outcome and there is constructive and result-oriented dialogue on these issues, we will welcome it. Otherwise, we will intensify our agitation very strongly.”

Lakruk has expressed concern over the ongoing delay in releasing the inquiry report probing the September violence, which resulted in four fatalities. He criticized the slow withdrawal of cases against individuals involved in the violence, noting that only 25 of approximately 80 cases have been dismissed.

“We are all Indians, and everyone should be treated equally,” he asserted, highlighting the need for equity in addressing issues faced by the people of Ladakh. His call for fair compensation to families of victims resonated deeply with the ongoing sentiments of injustice.

In context, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk remarked that September serves as “Martyrs’ Month,” commemorating those who suffered due to last year’s unrest. Several programs have been planned, although a proposed padyatra from Kargil to Leh, scheduled to commence on September 10, has been postponed to prioritize the MHA talks.

Wangchuk confirmed, “We have collectively decided to postpone the padyatra for the time being,” noting that the march could renew if the MHA meeting results prove inadequate. The LAB’s plans may include organizing the padyatra five days before the anniversary of September 24.

The activists expect the government to provide a detailed draft regarding the establishment of a Ladakh Assembly during the September 9 discussions. “If there is progress on these issues, we will consider the talks successful,” Wangchuk reiterated, signaling a hopeful yet cautious stance.

He further elucidated the context of the violence, labeling the circumstances as “not normal” and hinted that the LAB might divulge more information surrounding the events if necessary. “If Ladakh is not treated in the same manner, and stepmotherly treatment is meted out to Ladakh and the people living along the borders, then we will be compelled to launch a very large-scale agitation after September 9,” he cautioned.

This impending clash highlights the growing frustrations in Ladakh over unresolved issues following its transition to Union Territory status. As the political landscape shifts, the LAB and KDA maintain a resolute stance, demanding their rightful place in the governance of Ladakh.

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