Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena lays foundation stone for high altitude flower fields in Leh

LEH, JUNE 22: Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena laid the foundation stone today for the first high-altitude flower fields of the country in Leh, marking a transformative step aimed at diversifying the biodiversity of Ladakh, increasing farmer incomes, and generating new livelihood opportunities for local youth and entrepreneurs through floriculture.

The initiative features a massive flower garden at Choglamsar spread across 92,687 square meters, which is being developed as one of the largest organized high-altitude floriculture parks in the nation. Additionally, the Stakna project located at the University of Ladakh will function as a dedicated model center for scientific flower cultivation.Under the framework of this project, local farmers will receive specialized training in floriculture for the first time, with the fields eventually being handed over to them for commercial utilization through cooperative networks.

The projects are designed to cultivate high-value flowers such as lilium, gladiolus, and tulips, all of which maintain strong national and international market demand to open new employment avenues. To guarantee success, a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed with CSIR-IHBT Palampur to provide essential scientific and technical support, ensuring the integration of modern technologies, robust capacity building, and sustainable agricultural practices.

These new gardens represent an investment in opportunities, stable livelihoods, and a greener, more prosperous future for the Ladakh region.