Leh, June 23: Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Tuesday announced the inauguration of the first water body developed under Project Him Sarovar at Spituk Farka, describing it as a significant step towards restoring barren land and strengthening water security in the region.
The water body has been constructed to capture and store seasonal glacier meltwater for agricultural and ecological purposes.
The pond, measuring 60 metres by 40 metres with a depth of two metres, was completed in a record period of 60 days at an altitude of approximately 11,500 feet.
Officials said the reservoir has the capacity to store nearly 60 lakh litres of glacier meltwater and is expected to play a key role in addressing water scarcity in the cold desert region.
The project aims to make nearly 2,000 acres of barren land cultivable by harnessing seasonal water flows that would otherwise go unused.
According to the administration, the stored water will help recharge groundwater reserves, support agricultural activities, improve soil conditions and contribute to ecological restoration in the area.
The initiative forms part of broader efforts by the Ladakh administration to strengthen climate resilience and address challenges arising from changing precipitation patterns and declining water availability in high-altitude regions.
Officials said similar interventions are expected to be undertaken in other suitable areas as part of long-term plans to improve water management and agricultural sustainability across Ladakh. [KNT]
