Ladakh, Apr 10 (NVI) : Ladak on Friday marked a major milestone in its journey towards water security with the launch of Project Him Sarovar, an ambitious initiative aimed at harvesting snow and conserving glacial melt through the creation of water storage bodies across the region.
The project commenced with the simultaneous excavation of 50 water bodies in Leh and Kargil districts, undertaken with the support of the Indian Army, ITBP, and BRO. Each structure, measuring 40×30 meters and 2 meters deep, is designed to capture snowmelt and rainwater that otherwise goes to waste every year.
Officials said the initiative will provide a reliable and sustainable source of water for irrigation, especially crucial in the cold desert terrain of Ladakh where water scarcity remains a persistent challenge.
Describing it as a “historic step,” authorities noted that the project aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of restoring 2.6 crore hectares of degraded land by 2030.
The water bodies are based on scientifically designed yet traditional water conservation techniques, making them cost-effective and suitable for Ladakh’s unique climatic conditions.
In its first phase, the project has already covered nearly 25 percent of the villages in Ladakh. Officials aim to expand its reach to at least 100 villages within a year through coordinated efforts.
Authorities expressed confidence that Project Him Sarovar will emerge as a sustainable model of water management, helping secure Ladakh’s ecological and agricultural future.(NVI)
