Leh, July 08 (Scoop News)- Chairman/CEC, LAHDC Leh, Adv. Tashi Gyalson held a detailed and constructive meeting today with the Lieutenant General Hitesh Bhalla, UYSM, SC**, SM, VSM, General Officer Commanding, 14 Corps, at the Army Headquarters in Leh.During the meeting, the Hon’ble CEC apprised Lt. Gen. Bhalla of the ongoing Mission Mode Cleanliness Drive focused on the Indus River and its tributaries. Lt. Gen. Bhalla appreciated the Council’s proactive role and expressed the Indian Army’s full support and collaboration in furthering this critical mission for environmental preservation.A key point of discussion was the innovative waste management and Green India initiative undertaken by the Indian Army, particularly the collection and repurposing of waste from the Siachen region. The initiative has led to the creation of usable items such as jackets made from recycled waste—one of which was gifted to the Hon’ble CEC during the meeting. Hon’ble CEC lauded the Army’s efforts in transforming waste into valuable products and emphasized the need to scale up such initiatives under the broader “Wealth from Waste” vision, while also exploring collaborative opportunities to promote Self Help Groups (SHGs) and support alternative livelihood sources for local communities. In particular, they discussed ways to use poultry waste such as hen feathers from local slaughterhouses to create marketable products. Further both CEC, Leh and GOC, Leh discussed about units and settlements stationed along the river for a time-bound review and restructuring of their waste disposal and management systems. This is aimed at ensuring both efficiency and environmental compliance across camps and settlements along the waterway.Both the Hon’ble CEC and the GOC 14 corps agreed to convene another joint meeting soon to formulate a comprehensive roadmap for waste management, environmental conservation, and ecological protection in and around the Indus and across strategic zones of Ladakh.Additionally, the Hon’ble CEC also raised the concerns of Truck Union and the 407 Union, whose Presidents were present at the meeting. In response, the GOC assured that the issues related to transportation would be duly looked into and necessary support would be extended.
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