L-G launches ecological restoration project to reclaim 800 acres of barren land in Ladakh

25/05/2026

Leh, May 24: Lieu-tenant Governor of Union Territory of Ladakh Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena has launched an ambitious ecological restoration project aimed at reclaiming nearly 800 acres of barren land near Spituk village in Leh by using an innovative freshwater recharge initiative to reverse land degradation and restore ecological balance.
The pilot project has been initiated in response to the growing challenge of land degradation in Ladakh, where large stretches of land have increasingly turned into barren cold deserts, officials said.
Under the initiative, around 800 acres of land lying barren for centuries have been identified near Spituk village. Excess and unutilised water from the adjoining Igoo-Phey irrigation canal, recently restored and made operational, is being diverted and spread over the land through temporary channels and minor earthwork interventions with the help of machinery.
Officials said Ladakh receives less than 100 mm of annual rainfall and depends heavily on glacial meltwater. However, rapid flow of meltwater during early spring often leads to soil erosion, inadequate groundwater recharge and declining soil moisture levels, contributing to land degradation. The project seeks to restore ecological conditions through a freshwater-based intervention aimed at increasing groundwater recharge, improving soil quality and encouraging natural vegetation growth.
According to officials, freshwater percolation is expected to replenish depleted aquifers, enhance soil moisture, reduce salinity and trigger the germination of dormant seeds, ultimately improving the area's ecological condition.
The initiative is also expected to strengthen soil binding through vegetation growth, thereby reducing erosion caused by wind and water.
Officials said the long-term objective includes developing agricultural and grazing potential in the reclaimed land by restoring soil productivity and ensuring sustainable irrigation.
Speaking about the project, Saxena said nearly 800 acres of barren land were being irrigated using excess water from the Igoo-Phey canal to increase moisture levels and initiate a process of natural rejuvenation.
He said the initiative could emerge as a model for sustainable irrigation expansion, improved agricultural productivity and ecological restoration across Ladakh.
Officials said the initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's target of restoring 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030.

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