LG Saxena inaugurates restored Choglamsar Protected Forest in Leh
26/05/2026
Leh, May 25: Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Monday inaugurated the restored and redeveloped Choglamsar Protected Forest in Leh, describing it as a future model for ecological conservation and sustainable eco-tourism in Ladakh.
Located on the banks of the Indus River around 7 km from Leh city, the nearly 27-acre forest area has been upgraded with various public and nature-oriented facilities, officials said.
The redeveloped site now includes nature trails, cycle tracks, biodiversity and wellness zones, pedestrian pathways, children's play areas, gazebos, viewpoints,
resting spaces and study corners equipped with literature on wildlife and environmental conservation.
Officials said the restoration work was completed within 45 days after the Lieutenant Governor's visit to the site in April, when the area was found to be in a deteriorated condition with damaged infrastructure and lack of basic amenities.
Established in the 1970s on barren and erosion-prone land, the protected forest has played an important role in stabilising the Indus riverbanks, conserving soil and enhancing biodiversity in the ecologically fragile Himalayan region.
Addressing the gathering, Saxena said the protected forest symbolised resilience and ecological restoration and highlighted the importance of preserving fragile mountain ecosystems in the face of climate change.
He said the objective was not merely to create a recreational space but to develop a model ecological destination combining conservation, education, recreation and community participation.
During the event, the Lieutenant Governor also released a brochure on the protected forest and witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Forest, Ecology and Environment and the University of Ladakh for research and conservation of the endangered Juniper species, the state tree of Ladakh.
Share This Story |
|
Comment On This Story |
|
|
|
|