Last Updated on February 18, 2021 at 8:39 pm
The Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, R K Mathur called upon Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare at Krishi Bhawan in New Delhi on February 16.
The Lt. Governor thanked the Minister for his continued support and guidance to develop and promote the agricultural sector of Ladakh. He requested the Minister to visit Ladakh.
LG Mathur apprised the Minister of the issues pertaining to agriculture and it’s allied sectors in Ladakh. He highlighted the need for Ladakh to move from traditional agriculture to commercial farming. He emphasised engaging youth by developing an entrepreneurial model to achieve this transition in the farming sector. He said that promoting greenhouse construction on a large scale would benefit the people in terms of availability of vegetables and income generation.
Projecting the potentials in horticulture, the LG stressed commercial production and promotion of Ladakhi apples and apricots. He also raised the need to look for organic and scientific methods to address the issue of coddling moth. Mathur spoke about the commercial viability of exotic flowers, medicinal and aromatic plants in Ladakh and requested projects by ICAR in this regard.
He apprised the Minister of the need to develop scientific breeding, nutrition and pasture development policies to boost the Animal Husbandry sector. The need to explore and promote the fisheries sector through technical inputs was also discussed.
The Minister appreciated the suggestions and concerns raised by LG Mathur. He suggested that a seminar be held in Ladakh in the coming months involving various stakeholders at the national level to deliberate on the issues discussed and chalk out possible solutions and technical inputs to address those.
LG Mathur held a meeting with S Ghosh, DIG, Central Zoo Authority at Ladakh Bhawan. The Lt. Governor discussed the scope to explore wildlife safari, aviary and Butterfly Park in Ladakh that he said would be first of its kind and will aid tourism promotion and diversification in the region. Besides, the need for setting up of a wildlife rescue centre, conservation of indigenous species in its natural habitat, initiate exchange program with international wildlife conservation breeding program, etc., were also discussed during the meeting.
In a meeting with Lt. Gen Rajeev Chaudhary, DG, BRO, LG Mathur discussed the prospects of future road developments in Ladakh and the present status of ongoing road works including Zoji-la, Shinku-la, Padum-Darcha road in particular. The Lt. Governor lauded BRO for their exemplary work in late closing of the Leh-Srinagar national highway. He requested the early opening of Leh-Manali and Leh-Srinagar roads.
