Pangong Lake (Pangong Tso), the main tourist attraction of Ladakh, has reopened for tourists after remaining closed for months following the ongoing India-China standoff. According to Leh administration, the lake is open for tourists from January 10 and tourists can obtain an inner-line permit to visit Pangong Lake from the DC office or also online from their official website. The happy news has come when famous Chadar trek of Ladakh has started. A large number of tourists are expected to visit Ladakh in winter months to experience the winter season and frozen Pangong Tso. Pangong lake in the Eastern Ladakh, close to the LAC (disputed Aksai Chin), about 150km from Leh, is the main tourist attraction in Ladakh. The lake known for its bluish water which changes its colours many times in a day is visited by lakhs of tourists every year. However, the lake remained out of reach of tourists this year. With Pangong lake remaining closed for tourists due to unrest at India-China border, it has badly impacted tourism in Ladakh. The hoteliers, travel agents, taxi drivers and other stakeholders were praying for peace at the border so that Pangong Lake opens for tourists once again and bring back tourism business to the cold deserts -- popularly known as mini Tibet. The Ladakh Tourism department has also announced that “Pangong Lake Opens for tourists from January 10” through its twitter post. Although Pangong lake was closed for tourists even before the Galwan valley clashes between India and Chinese troops, the clashes made the lake out of bounds for longer time as tension between both the nations kept mountain ever since. The lake, for the safety of the civilians, was kept closed. As Indian soldiers are in a better position in eastern Ladakh, Pangong Lake has been opened for
Pangong Lake (Pangong Tso), the main tourist attraction of Ladakh, has reopened for tourists after remaining closed for months following the ongoing India-China standoff. According to Leh administration, the lake is open for tourists from January 10 and tourists can obtain an inner-line permit to visit Pangong Lake from the DC office or also online
Confirming that towering peaks of Himalayas have emerged from the Tethys ocean, noted geologist Dr Ritesh Arya has discovered 20 million years old fossil of palm leaves from fragile rocks of Ladakh. Measuring more than 4ft in length, the fossil is expected to be over 20 million years old when the present-day Himalayas were not formed. Arya has discovered the fossil on a fragile rock surface in southern part of Indus river in Leh district. According to him, the fossil represents the near-coastal environment of Ladakh millions of years back as this species is not found anywhere in the present-day Himalayan regions. He said the fragile fossil needs proper care to protect it from being destroyed. He said the site can become a popular tourist destination of Ladakh where tourists will come to see how this region used to be a coastal area millions of years ago. “The fossil has been found from the Tethyan sediments of Ladakh when I was searching for specimens for geological museum and laboratory that I had established a few days back in a school in Ladakh. Tethys sea was once separating India from Tibet in geological history till 20 million years ago. The presence of fossils of palm from the sediments of Indus molasse in Ladakh clearly shows that Ladakh Himalayas were once below the sea. Probably the area till sediments from where the fossils are found were below the sea. Palm fossils represent near-coastal environment,” he said. Arya added that large size of the actual specimens of fossil shows that conditions at the time of deposition would have been hot and humid similar to equatorial climatic conditions. “These types of floras are found nowhere in the modern-day Himalayas. Fossils of palm leaves have been found in Kasauli, Himachal, by HB Medlicott in 1864.
Confirming that towering peaks of Himalayas have emerged from the Tethys ocean, noted geologist Dr Ritesh Arya has discovered 20 million years old fossil of palm leaves from fragile rocks of Ladakh. Measuring more than 4ft in length, the fossil is expected to be over 20 million years old when the present-day Himalayas were not
LEH: “Biking Queens”, a group of 50 women bikers from Gujarat, who aims to ride over 10,000 km and cover 15 states, will reach 18,380 ft high Khardungla pass on August 15 and hoist National Flag here to mark Independence Day. This is the only one of its kind women only bike tours to Ladakh. The group, named Biking Queens, has reached Manali on Wednesday. On Thursday, they shall start their onward journey to Ladakh taking a midway halt at Jispa and Sarchu. The group will reach Leh on Saturday. The ‘All Women All India’ ride which was flagged off in the presence of Anandiben Patel, Ex Chief Minister of Gujarat, on July 19, had been to Gujarat and Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand states covering 5, 547 KM journey. The biking queens have taken inspiration from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s campaign “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” and “Swachch Bharat”. As part of an ambitious 10,438-km ride, covering 15 states to popularise the Central government campaign “Sashakta Nari, Sashakta Bharat”, “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” and “Swachchh Bharat”. In next 25 days these queens would visit Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Delhi, Rajasthan and conclude their voyage back in Gujarat. To spread the message of women empowerment and save the girl child, around 50 women riders on a mission to visit schools and interact with bikers from 15 states and would distribute educational kit to student and sanitary kits teenage girls. So far on their voyage these queens have received overwhelming response from the community groups, students, teaching staff of schools. These women bikers were astonished by the honour they received by 150 local male bikers from Dulapally village in Hyderabad. Also Riders of Bangalore, Bangalore’s Riders club and many other bikers met these queens and
LEH: “Biking Queens”, a group of 50 women bikers from Gujarat, who aims to ride over 10,000 km and cover 15 states, will reach 18,380 ft high Khardungla pass on August 15 and hoist National Flag here to mark Independence Day. This is the only one of its kind women only bike tours to Ladakh. The
LEH: The Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir State Dr Nirmal Kumar Singh who is also the Minister for Housing and Urban Development today inspected the site for construction of multi tier parking facility at Leh under AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation) and ongoing initial works for Solid Waste Management Plant under Leh beautification project across the mountain of Skampari Leh today morning. He was accompanied by Minister for Ladakh Affairs and Cooperative Chhering Dorjey, Chief Executive Councilor LAHDC Leh Dr. Sonam Dawa, Executive Councilors, DC, Leh Prasanna Ramaswamy G and engineers. While inspecting the site for construction of multi tier parking facility at Leh, the minister was informed that tender for this parking facility with capacity of 263 Cars with a total estimated cost of Rs. 26 crore has already been flouted and Kinetix Company has been engaged as a consultant agency for all the projects in Leh under AMRUT. For earliest completion of this much awaited project, Dy CM Dr. Nirmal directed DC Leh for earliest demolition of all the buildings from the site and also directed him to ensure time bound completion of the facility. Later, while inspecting the initial works of Solid Waste Management system of Leh Town across the mountain of Skampari Leh with the a total sanctioned cost of Rs. 10.94 crore, Dr. Nirmal and Minister Dorjey observed that besides completion of approach road and 2 Nos of Trench executed by Construction Division, no progress was achieved at the site. Inquiring about the reasons for delay in installation of In Vessel Composed Plant at the site from the engineers of WAPCOS Ltd engaged for the project, Dy. CM and Minister Dorjey directed DC Leh to take written dateline statement from the CMD of WAPCOS for earliest completion of this project and
LEH: The Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir State Dr Nirmal Kumar Singh who is also the Minister for Housing and Urban Development today inspected the site for construction of multi tier parking facility at Leh under AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation) and ongoing initial works for Solid Waste Management Plant under
LEH: The Deputy Chief Minister Dr. Nirmal Singh today said that the contribution of late Kushok Bakula is exemplary which should be propagated especially among the younger generation and he is the architect of the, modern Ladakh The Deputy Chief Minister was speaking at the centenary birth celebration function of Padma Bushan 19th Kushok Bakula Rinpoche at Leh today. Minister for Cooperatives Chering Dorjay, Chief Executive Councilror LAHDC Dr. Sonam Dawa, MLA Leh Rigzin Jora, Senior officers and other dignitaries were present on the occasion. The Deputy Chief Minister said that the late Rinpoche was responsible for the social transformation of the Ladakhi society. He said that he was the main architect for the modernization of the Ladakh region and people still remember him through the country for his contribution towards the development of this part of the nation. “We should all be thankful to the late leader Kushok Bakula for his visionary and modern outlook which was responsible for bringing the transformation of this hilly region of the State,” Dr. Singh said and maintained that the younger generation should follow the teachings and path shown by the legendary spiritual leader. While referring to various developmental initiatives and schemes undertaken in Ladakh region, the Deputy Chief Minister said that special focus has been given to develop the historic Leh and Kargil towns and they have already been undertaken under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) under which every facet of urban development would be addressed. “An amount of Rs 15.20 crore has been earmarked under urban sector for Leh, whereas Rs 12.26 crore are for Kargil region,” he added. Dr. Singh while directing the officers to ensure that the region gets requisite supply of electric power said that it is essential for the tourist season as well as
LEH: The Deputy Chief Minister Dr. Nirmal Singh today said that the contribution of late Kushok Bakula is exemplary which should be propagated especially among the younger generation and he is the architect of the, modern Ladakh The Deputy Chief Minister was speaking at the centenary birth celebration function of Padma Bushan 19th Kushok Bakula Rinpoche
LEH: Sending a message of environment protection and encouraging government employees to adopt the habit of cycling at least one day a week to come to the office, officers of many departments on Saturday peddled in the city. The Chief Executive Councilor, LAHDC, Leh Dr. Sonam Dawa Lonpo led a cycle rally comprising of Executive Councilor for Tourism Tsering Sandup, Executive Councilor for Animal & Sheep Mumtaz Husain, Deputy Commissioner Leh Prasanna Ramaswamy G, SSP Leh Uday Bhaskar Billa, ADC Leh Moses Kunzang and govt officers and officials of Leh district including one female employee (JE, PHE ) which was flagged off from Tourist Information Centre Leh and culminated at Council Secretariat this morning. Inspired from the Gyalwang Drukpa Rinpochey's initiative through cycling for environmental protection, the Hill Council Leh has decided to propagate cycling in the district in order to disseminate a sense of healthy lifestyle amongst the local populace and especially amongst the Government employees, the CEC, LAHDC, Leh Dr. Sonam Dawa Lonpo has desired that from 1st April 2017 on every Saturday, all Govt. employees should endeavour to ride cycle to their place of work. Talking to the media persons on the occasion, Dr Dawa said that this initiative is actually aimed at finding a way out to contribute a small whatever possible to protect the fragile ecology of Ladakh which is on the severe threat in the wake of hugely increasing vehicles and pollution. He expressed happiness over the overwhelming support from the local people on this idea and also appealed the local media to play a vital role about propagation of the importance of healthy environment for better life for all. Hoping for adopting cycle riding by a larger people in the coming days, Dr Dawa said that once the high stature leaders as well as
LEH: Sending a message of environment protection and encouraging government employees to adopt the habit of cycling at least one day a week to come to the office, officers of many departments on Saturday peddled in the city. The Chief Executive Councilor, LAHDC, Leh Dr. Sonam Dawa Lonpo led a cycle rally comprising of Executive Councilor
LEH: Chief Executive Councillor (CEC), Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Dr Sonam Dawa, held a meeting and was attended by district officers for smooth regulation of traffic in view of the upcoming tourist season in the region. Speaking during the meeting, Dr Dawa said that Leh was facing a serious challenge of increasing traffic snarls which disturbs the eco-system of Ladakh. “To minimize the impact on the environment, we must collectively find a way out,” he suggested. Dr Dawa told the meeting about upcoming multi layer parking facility in the heart of the city to accommodate nearly 250 vehicles at a time and asked taxi union to vacate their space so that work on new parking space can be started at the earliest. He said expanding capacity of parking in Leh was need of the hour. He also referred to the proposal to make another underground parking lot at Polo Ground to meet growing demand. CEC also directed the administration to ensure parking space while issuing building permits. Deputy Commissioner Prasanna Ramaswamy told the meeting that Rs 25 crore has been sanctioned for the parking space in the city and existing taxi union and bus union and others will be relocated to a new place. He also instructed to remove the unauthorized check points along the National Highway and asked the senior superintendent of police to keep a check on it. The meeting discussed on various issues which included traffic management, retiring of 15 year old vehicles from service, erecting of unnecessary barricades at various locations by army, self driven hired cars in view of court case on the matter and operation of non local taxis. Responding to a query of Dorjay Angchok, chairman, All Ladakh Transport Union, who demanded issuance of new permits to unemployed youth, Ramaswamy said that
LEH: Chief Executive Councillor (CEC), Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Dr Sonam Dawa, held a meeting and was attended by district officers for smooth regulation of traffic in view of the upcoming tourist season in the region. Speaking during the meeting, Dr Dawa said that Leh was facing a serious challenge of increasing traffic snarls
LEH: The Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) has decided to design a software to charge Ladakh environment fees online for the convenience of tourists and to bring transparency to the system. LAHDC Leh Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) Dr. Sonam Dawa Lonpo convened a meeting to discuss about the utilization of environmental fees charged from tourists visiting Leh on Saturday. The meeting was attended by EC Works Dorjey Mutup, EC Agriculture Tsering Wangdus, EC Animal & Sheep Husbandry Mumtaz Hussain, all the councilors, nominated councilors, Administrator Municipal Committee, AD Tourism, Wildlife Warden, President All Ladakh Tour Operators Association (ALTOA), Hotel Association and Taxi Union. Addressing the meeting, CEC informed that at present under the account head of environment fees a total of Rs 3 crore has been collected which besides Ladakh environment fees includes rent of Ladakh House, Sindhu Sanskriti Kendra, Conference Hall, shooting charges and amount charged from non-residential students. He said that the objective of collecting Ladakh environment fees is to generate income resource for Council to make itself sustainable in some ways and to cut down the dependency on government funds which is meager to meet all the developmental needs and demands. “We cannot wait for government money to provide with facilities to promote tourism and it’s mandatory to take initiatives at our level to address the issues. It can only be achieved if we work in unity ensuring collective and coordinate efforts by all the stakeholders involved,” Dr Dawa said. During the meeting it was decided unanimously to make payment of environment fees online for domestic tourists also to ensure transparency in the system. It was also decided to enhance the environmental fee for both foreign and domestic tourists from next year onwards and CEC urged the concern stakeholders to come up with a fee structure
LEH: The Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) has decided to design a software to charge Ladakh environment fees online for the convenience of tourists and to bring transparency to the system. LAHDC Leh Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) Dr. Sonam Dawa Lonpo convened a meeting to discuss about the utilization of environmental fees charged from
