Ladakh Chasing Water Sufficiency: LG VK Saxena Details Plan for Agricultural Boom
LG VK Saxena details how glacier water diversion, new ponds, and check dams are ending water scarcity and boosting farming in Ladakh.
The Union Territory of Ladakh is undergoing a massive transformation in water management, aiming to bridge the gap between its abundant natural resources and the severe scarcity faced by its residents. Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena has outlined a comprehensive strategy to harness glacier meltwater, revive dying lakes, and ensure that farmers have access to water exactly when they need it most.
Tapping Into the Glacial Giant
Despite the region's harsh terrain, Ladakh possesses an enormous volume of water. LG Saxena revealed a startling statistic: approximately 300 trillion litres of glacier meltwater flow into rivers every year. However, until March, only a mere 1.5% of this resource was being utilised.
To combat this inefficiency, the UT administration has already taken significant steps:
- Village Ponds: Ponds have been constructed in around 60 villages, with 40 of these being inaugurated by the Prime Minister.
- Canal Revival: Around 200 million litres of glacier water have been diverted into the Igu Canal. After remaining dry for years, the canal now receives a round-the-clock supply of water.
Saving 'Dying' Lakes and Supporting Herders
One of the most critical environmental interventions is the revival of Tso Kar Lake. Previously described as a "dying lake," the water body had dried up and turned salty, severely impacting the livelihoods of local Pashmina goat herders. These villagers were forced to travel up to 50 kilometres to find water for their livestock.
The administration is now implementing a bold engineering feat by bringing water down from 18,000 feet to 15,000 feet to replenish the lake. LG Saxena noted that animals have already begun returning to the lake to drink, and the return of water is expected to bring back green grass, restoring the socioeconomic stability of the pastoral communities.
Solving the Seasonal Mismatch for Farmers
For years, Ladakhi farmers suffered from a cruel timing mismatch: they desperately needed water for sowing in February and March, but the meltwater only arrived in May and June. This gap hindered agricultural productivity and limited the region's potential.
To fix this, the LG has announced an aggressive expansion of storage infrastructure:
- Identification: 100 villages facing severe water scarcity have been identified in consultation with local Numberdars (village headmen).
- Deadline: The administration aims to construct 100 new ponds across these villages by the end of February.
- Impact: These ponds will be filled with glacier water, ensuring that when the sowing season arrives in February and March, water is readily available.
Eco-Friendly Engineering: The Power of Rock Check Dams
Beyond ponds and canals, the administration is employing cost-effective and environmentally sustainable solutions along major river systems. Five rock check dams have recently been constructed on the Indus (Sindhu) River using local stones.
These structures have proven highly effective:
"Each rock check dam is storing about 25 to 30 million liters of water, which previously used to just flow away. Because of this, villagers can now lift water to their fields, which was not possible earlier."
These dams have created pondages of about 500 meters, raising the water level in previously dry canals and providing a consistent water source for local agriculture.