Leh, Aug 12: In a remarkable display of community spirit and environmental commitment, thousands of local residents, officials, and volunteers came together for the Singe Tsangspo Tsande Lasgul – Mission Indus Clean-Up under the theme “Zero Tolerance Against Pollution,” focusing on restoring the Leh Stream and adjoining water bodies.
The stream, stretching 13.94 kilometres from Gangles to Abi Spang before joining the Indus River, was at the heart of the large-scale campaign.
The drive began at Sindhu Ghat, led by Hon’ble CEC LAHDC Leh Advocate Tashi Gyalson and Chief Secretary Pawan Kotwal. Aligning with the Har Ghar Tiranga movement ahead of Independence Day, the event merged environmental conservation with patriotic fervour.
To streamline operations, the Leh Stream was divided into 12 cleaning zones assigned to various volunteer groups. Around 2,000 participants joined the initiative, including government officials, civil society representatives, NGOs, business associations, transport unions, security forces, and local residents. Civil society members from LEDeG, Zero Waste Ladakh, LEHO, LNP, and the Women’s Alliance Leh worked alongside community leaders and Gobas. Members of the Merchant Association, ALGHA, ALTOA, Taxi Union, Bikers Union, Tempo Traveller Union, 207/407 Union, Bus/Mazda Union, and Truck Union also contributed. Support from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police and the Indian Army strengthened the campaign’s impact.
By the end of the day, approximately 75 tonnes of waste—including plastic debris, discarded cloth, and metal scraps—had been removed from the waterways. The collected waste was segregated and processed in accordance with Solid Waste Management Rules.
Addressing participants, Advocate Tashi Gyalson commended the unity displayed by Leh’s residents and institutions, stressing the importance of preserving Ladakh’s fragile ecosystem. Chief Secretary Pawan Kotwal reiterated the administration’s resolve to uphold “zero tolerance against pollution” as a central principle in environmental action.
Organisers said the Mission Indus Clean-Up revitalised stretches of the Leh Stream and reinforced the value of sustained community participation. With the Indus River serving as a lifeline for Ladakh, they emphasised that continued collective efforts are vital for safeguarding water resources for future generations.
