Leh, Mar 12: The Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (APCCF), Union Territory of Ladakh, visited the Leh Campus of the University of Ladakh on March 11, initiating discussions on the establishment of a High Altitude Arboretum within the university premises.
The APCCF, accompanied by a delegation of senior forest officials, was received by Dean of Research Dr. Sonam Joldan and Dean Science Dr. Konchok Dorjey. The interaction reflected closer coordination between the forest department of the Union Territory administration and the university’s research community.
During the meeting, both sides deliberated on plans to develop an arboretum dedicated to indigenous and high-altitude plant species of the Trans-Himalayan region. According to officials present at the discussion, the proposed site is intended to function as a dedicated platform for climate change studies, botanical research and biodiversity conservation.
The planned arboretum is expected to host a curated collection of native plant varieties adapted to the extreme conditions of Ladakh. Once developed, the facility would provide students and researchers a living laboratory to examine the ecology and growth patterns of high-altitude flora under controlled conditions.
Following the meeting, the APCCF and university officials conducted a joint inspection of the Leh campus to assess potential sites for the proposed arboretum. During the field visit, they evaluated several locations with reference to soil conditions, water access and solar exposure to determine the most suitable area for planting and long-term research.
Officials said the initiative aims to strengthen scientific understanding of plant adaptation in cold desert ecosystems while also supporting conservation efforts across Ladakh’s fragile ecological zones.
The visit concluded with both sides agreeing to accelerate the planning process so that the proposed arboretum can contribute to ecological research and environmental awareness in the Union Territory.
