LEH: In a significant environmental intervention, the Union Territory of Ladakh has launched a comprehensive clean-up campaign along the Indus River, from Upshi to Phey, with a mission-mode commitment to achieving “Zero Tolerance Against Pollution.” The initiative was formally launched during a high-level meeting chaired by UT Ladakh Chief Secretary Dr Pawan Kotwal in collaboration with the Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Leh, Advocate Tashi Gyalson.
The campaign aims to tackle mounting pollution in the sacred Indus River, considered the lifeline of Ladakh, and introduce systemic changes in waste management, behavioural practices, and legal enforcement across Leh district.
The initiative follows a proposal by CEC Gyalson, who had earlier called for urgent administrative action to safeguard the river through legal and community-based mechanisms. During the meeting, Dr Kotwal emphasised that the clean-up campaign must go beyond symbolism and bring about lasting behavioural change with tangible outcomes. “This is a collective responsibility,” he said, “shared by civilians, defence personnel, tourists, and local communities alike.”
Among the key directives issued, the Chief Secretary advocated for curbing the use of small plastic water bottles in favour of minimum 2-litre containers to reduce plastic waste. He called for widespread public awareness through signage, advertisements, and pamphlets, and urged the inclusion of religious leaders in the campaign to tap into the moral and spiritual sentiments of the public. “People listen when faith speaks,” Dr Kotwal said, referring to the Indus’s religious importance.
Legal deterrents were also prioritised. Dr Kotwal called for a robust legal framework to penalise those who pollute the river and urged the Indian Army, paramilitary forces, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and the Indian Air Force to take ownership of the riverfronts adjoining their infrastructure.
The Housing Secretary was directed to conduct a thorough review of sewage treatment plants operated by both the Air Force and civilian agencies and to prepare a detailed action plan for the campaign. The Chief Secretary assured that all departments would be equipped with necessary machinery and support to enforce the campaign effectively.
He also called on the Principal Secretary and Health Secretary to evaluate the current hospital waste management systems and ensure that hazardous waste does not enter the river ecosystem. Additionally, the functioning of sanitation and waste disposal practices at Army units, BRO camps, ITBP posts, and Air Force stations across the district is to be reviewed comprehensively.
Leh Deputy Commissioner Romil Singh Donk briefed the meeting on the two-week-long campaign, noting that it had already been discussed with Goba and Nambardars across the district in a preliminary meeting chaired by the CEC. He added that besides the Indus, tributaries such as the Zanskar, Singhey Lalok, and water bodies in the Sham Valley would also be targeted. “This is a coordinated effort cutting across all village clusters,” he said.
CEC Tashi Gyalson, referring to past appeals made by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama in 2022 and more recently by Skyabgon Chezang Rinpoche, stressed that the Indus must be treated as sacred and inviolable. “The river is not just a water body,” he said, “it is the spiritual and ecological heart of Ladakh.”
The CEC underlined ongoing challenges, including the dumping of waste by chicken sellers in Choglamsar directly into the river and the lack of sanitation facilities for workers engaged in infrastructure projects like those under Project HIMANK. He urged the administration to rectify these gaps without delay and called for strong action against violators.
He also proposed involving local entrepreneurs in plastic recycling to build sustainable solutions and reduce external dependency. “Wholesalers who flout environmental norms should face bans,” he warned, highlighting both psychological and financial accountability for polluters.
A major public mobilisation effort will take place on August 12, which will be observed as a district-wide “Safai Andolan.” All schools, administrative units, and villages will participate in the day-long campaign to raise awareness and reinforce the message of environmental responsibility.
Deputy Chairman of LAHDC Leh also flagged concerns over debris left behind by certain BRO contractors and unregulated waste from labour camps, urging immediate corrective action.