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| Hill Council doing its best in providing irrigation and drinking water supplies to people:CEC | |
Leh, September 10 (Scoop News)- District Administration Leh and Ladakh Ecological Development Group (LEDeG) organized a meeting on the theme “Future of water in Leh: Where are we heading?” today at Sindhu Sanskriti Bhawan, Leh.
CEC, LAHDC Dorjey Mutup was the chief guest on the occasion. MLA, Leh Nawang Rigzin Jora was the key note speaker and other speakers included ADC, Moses Kunzang, Ex Dy Mayor, Shimla Tikender Singh Tanwar shared learning from Shimla water story, Ex-en PHE N.N Raina and Manas Rath, Senior Advisor BORDA gave a joint presentation on water scenario in Leh and Executive Director LEDeG Dr. Nordan Otzer.
Addressing the gathering CEC expressed gratitude to LEDeG and BORDA for organizing the one day town hall meeting focusing on the much need subject of water issues. He said that Hill Council is doing its best in providing irrigation and drinking water supplies to the people in Leh through various schemes. He said that availability of fund is a major restraint in completion of any project in Leh. He added that there is a huge time gap between funds sanctioned and release of funds during which extra escalation charges are incurred.
CEC expressed hope that the local authority will work on the suggestions given by the expert from Shimla and put up a proposal to Council. He gave full assurance to take steps in their proposed direction to address water issues in Leh town.
Delivering the key note speech Rigzin Jora said that Leh town is a mix of urban and rural characteristics and Municipal Committee is at its infancy stage. He said that historically Ladakh has always remained water stressed. Climate change, he said is another reason which Ladakhi’s are experiencing very closely in ways of water crises and Glacier Lake out bursts in recent years. He emphasized on using traditional techniques like Churpon system and local knowledge in addressing issues of water crises.
He strongly stressed on farmers to have the first right on water. He said that issues like water crises should be addressed beyond party politics or political intervention in a united effort by all stakeholders. He suggested diverting and using Khardong-la glacier water as the immediate step to address water shortage in Leh and for long term having a tunnel across Khardung la serving dual purpose for traffic and water supply.
Ex Dy Mayor, Shimla Tikender Singh Tanwar shared the story of water issues since the time it was ruled by British. He said that at present they are working on a model for Shimla to address the water issue for which World Bank has sanctioned Rs. 1000 crore for this project. Taking lessons from Shimla he said Ladakh can take early steps to avoid serious water crises in coming times. He stressed on role of government through strict enforcement and monitoring to ensure proper regulation in water usage. He said that answerability is the key and integrated system is the method to achieve success in getting right solution using local wisdom, information and methods.
The event was attended by more than 300 participants including Councilors, government officers, politicians, eminent personalities, religious heads, youth organizations, women alliance, nambarders from 16 wards in Leh town, representatives from various NGOs, students and others. An open house discussion was took place in which questions from audience were raised to discuss on steps taken by government to address water issues.
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