Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena launches mass plantation drive in Leh on World Environment Day

LEH June 05,2026— Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena launched a mass plantation drive in Leh to mark World Environment Day, drawing widespread participation from monks, Indo-Tibetan Border Police personnel, NCC cadets, students, and local communities.

The collaborative initiative successfully planted 5,000 saplings of various tree species, including willow, poplar, robinia, Russian olive, cherry, apple, apricot, pear, chinar, and Kashmiri juniper, across 7.50 hectares of land provided by the Thiksey Monastery.

A key highlight of the event was the establishment of a High-Altitude Experimental Plantation Plot at the site, which is designed to study the adaptability of tropical and subtropical species such as grapes, tea plants, papaya, juniper, Russian olive, and black currant in the region.

Additionally, 10 saplings of asafoetida were planted as part of the experiment, a crop that holds significant economic promise for local farmers due to its high market value and resilience.The initiative marks a significant milestone in regional greening efforts, with more than 35,000 trees planted across Ladakh since March 13, 2026.

The Lieutenant Governor expressed confidence that these collective community efforts will help Ladakh emerge as a leading model of ecological resilience within its fragile high-altitude ecosystem.