Project Him Sarovar: LG Ladakh Launches Massive Water Security Initiative to Restore Degraded Land

LEH, APRIL 10: In a significant stride toward water sustainability, the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Vinai Kumar Saxena, announced the launch of “Project Him Sarovar,” an ambitious initiative designed to harvest snow and create vital water bodies across the region’s villages.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the LG detailed the commencement of excavation works for 50 water bodies simultaneously across Leh and Kargil, a feat made possible through the collaborative support of the Indian Army, ITBP, and BRO. Each water body, measuring 40×30 meters with a depth of 2 meters, is scientifically engineered to capture and store snowmelt and glacial runoff that typically goes to waste.

This project aims to provide local communities with a dependable water source for irrigation while serving the broader goal of land restoration.LG Saxena described the project as a historic step aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to restore 2.6 crore hectares of degraded land by 2030.

By utilizing cost-effective and traditional water conservation methods tailored for cold desert environments, Project Him Sarovar has already reached 25% of Ladakh’s villages in its initial phase.

The Lieutenant Governor expressed confidence that with continued collective efforts, the initiative will expand to cover at least 100 villages within a year.

He emphasized that this sustainable water management system is a critical investment in securing the environmental and agricultural future of Ladakh.