Leh gets water body under Project Him Sarovar

Marking 100 days in office, Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Saturday inaugurated a newly created water body under Project Him Sarovar at Spituk Pharka in Leh, paving the way for the resumption of agricultural activities in the region after decades.

This is the first of the four water bodies being developed at the site under Project Him Sarovar. Three other water bodies are nearing completion and will be operationalised soon.

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Saxena, immediately upon assuming charge as the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh on March 13, 2026, adopted a mission-mode approach to address Ladakh’s water scarcity challenges and strengthen long-term water security in the region. He subsequently conceptualised Project Him Sarovar.

The project was launched by Saxena on April 10. The water body at Spituk Pharka, situated at an altitude of 11,500 feet, has been completed and inaugurated within just 60 days. The newly created reservoir is expected to benefit thousands of farmers by ensuring an adequate water supply for irrigating agricultural fields in the Spituk area, which have remained barren for decades.

Measuring 60 metres by 40 metres and 2 metres deep, the pond can store nearly 60 lakh litres of water, contributing to long-term water security in the region. Local residents, led by the Numberdar (village head), expressed their sincere gratitude to the Lieutenant Governor, saying the initiative was unprecedented in Ladakh and would help ensure water security, agricultural sustainability, and long-term resilience in the region’s high-altitude villages.

Reflecting on his 100-day tenure, Saxena, while addressing the gathering, described Project Him Sarovar as a historic initiative and the result of collective efforts towards efficient water management, climate resilience, and the prosperity of the people of Ladakh.

He observed that in a region where water availability has become one of the most pressing challenges, the project represents a practical and scientific solution to strengthen water security and safeguard livelihoods.

Saxena expressed satisfaction that the reservoir, initially scheduled for completion within 90 days, had been completed in just 60 days, reflecting the dedication, sincerity, and hard work of engineers, field staff, and local communities.

He informed that under the Sindhu Jal Samriddhi Abhiyan, the country’s first Himalayan Rock Check Dam has been constructed to strengthen water and agricultural sustainability in Ladakh, with four additional check dams planned in the near future. He also referred to the revival of the 43-kilometre-long Igoo-Phey Canal and the 2.1-kilometre-long Mahey Canal, which are enhancing irrigation facilities and agricultural productivity in high-altitude areas.

Saxena reiterated that environmental protection has remained one of the foremost priorities of his administration. Recognising Ladakh’s fragile ecology and increasing vulnerability to climate change, he said that more than 35,000 saplings have been planted in just 100 days, laying the foundation for a greener and more climate-resilient Ladakh.