Author: The Dispatch Staff

Leh, August 14: Ladakh Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena, in his Independence Day message, extended his greetings to the people of Ladakh and the country, paying tribute to the freedom fighters, armed forces and security personnel who made sacrifices in the service of the nation. Saxena said Independence Day was not only an occasion to celebrate freedom but also an opportunity to reaffirm India’s commitment to unity, strength and development. He said India’s resolve was to become a developed nation and the world’s second-largest economy by 2047, stressing the need to ensure that welfare schemes reach the most vulnerable sections while…

Leh: More than 2,950 free-ranging dogs (FRDs) have been sterilised in Ladakh as part of a conservation effort to protect the region’s Black-necked Cranes (BNCs), whose breeding grounds are increasingly facing pressure from stray dog populations, habitat disturbance and growing human activity. The initiative, led by the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) in collaboration with the Indian Army, Animal Husbandry Department and Department of Forest, Ecology & Environment, has been underway since 2022 in areas frequented by the endangered alpine bird. Free-ranging dogs have been reported to prey on BNC eggs and chicks and disturb nesting birds, affecting their breeding…

Jammu, Aug 13: Two earthquakes of moderate magnitude jolted the Union Territory of Ladakh within a span of nearly four hours on Thursday, triggering fear among residents. According to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS), the first and stronger tremor, measuring 5.5 magnitude, struck at 6.05 am, with its epicentre located at a latitude of 36.88 degrees north and longitude of 74.402 degrees east. It occurred at a depth of 10 kilometres in Ladakh’s Leh, it said. Another earthquake of 4.3 magnitude occurred at 9.54 am, at latitude 36.76 degrees north and longitude of 75.326 degrees east, also at a…

Leh, Aug 7: In view of the recent spate of landslides and rockfalls that have caused widespread damage in villages and disrupted traffic on major roads, Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Brig. (Dr.) B.D. Mishra (Retd.) on Friday chaired a high-level review meeting with senior officials of the Army, Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and the Union Territory Administration to assess disaster preparedness and immediate preventive measures. Chaired a high-level review meeting with the Army, BRO, and UT Administration on disaster preparedness and immediate preventive measures, in wake of frequent landslides and rockfalls in Ladakh in recent days which has caused large…

Leh: Ladakh Police has reaffirmed its commitment to conducting a fair, transparent and technology-driven recruitment process for 40 Sub-Inspector posts, with a total of 7,028 candidates applying from across the Union Territory. According to the Ladakh Police Subordinate Service Recruitment Board, the recruitment process incorporates advanced technology and multiple verification mechanisms to ensure transparency and accountability. These include biometric verification, digital height and chest measurements, RFID chip-based timing for endurance races, and comprehensive CCTV surveillance at every stage of the recruitment process. An Independent Observer nominated by the General Administration Department (GAD), Ladakh, is also overseeing the proceedings at the…

Leh, August 5: The Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) Ladakh has seized 12.46 grams of heroin from a vehicle during a drug interception operation at NH-3, Kharu, and arrested three persons in connection with the case. Officials said the ANTF team intercepted a Bolero vehicle at Kharu, where a search led to the recovery of heroin. The seized contraband weighed 12.46 grams. The arrested individuals have been identified as Stanzin Gendun, Kamal, and Sonam Gyaltson. A case under FIR No. 10/2026 under Sections 8/21 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act has been registered, and further investigation has been…

Leh: Seven years after the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35(A), leaders on Wednesday highlighted the transformation journey of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, underlining progress in infrastructure, governance, education, healthcare, entrepreneurship and empowerment of marginalised communities. On the occasion of Ladakh Union Territory Declaration Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that August 5, 2019, marked a “decisive new chapter” in the history of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, with the full application of the Constitution of India bringing new opportunities and rights to people who had been deprived of them for decades. In a post on X, the…

By Sindhiya Gupta The Union Territory of Ladakh is passing through one of the most significant administrative and political transformations in its modern history. Since becoming a Union Territory in October 2019, Ladakh has witnessed a series of reforms intended to improve governance, accelerate development and bring public services closer to people living across one of India’s most geographically challenging regions. The latest proposal to establish Autonomous Hill Development Councils in all seven districts of Ladakh is not merely another administrative measure. It is a landmark step towards institutionalising democratic decentralisation and ensuring that every region receives equal opportunities for…

Leh: In a major move towards democratic decentralisation, the Ladakh administration has announced that Autonomous Hill Development Councils will be established in all seven districts of the Union Territory. Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra said the decision had been taken in response to demands from regions including Sham, Nubra, Zanskar, Dras and Changthang for greater local representation and administrative empowerment. https://youtu.be/yuZccsdKC9s?si=S2qCqR9iOggJqxPP He said Section 3(1) of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council Act provides for the establishment of an autonomous council in every district. Necessary legal amendments and delimitation of constituencies will now be undertaken to extend the council system across…

Leh: In a first-of-its-kind enforcement drive in Ladakh, the administration has imposed hefty penalties on tourists for illegal off-roading in ecologically sensitive and protected wildlife areas, signalling a tougher stance against environmental violations in the Union Territory. Acting on the directions of Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, the Wildlife Department of Ladakh has initiated prosecution and imposed a total penalty of ₹2 lakh on four vehicle owners found violating provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Each offender was fined ₹50,000 after being found driving vehicles inside protected wildlife zones and environmentally sensitive areas, including the shores and waters of…

Leh, June 23: Senior IPS officer Anand Jain on Tuesday officially assumed charge as the Director General of Police (DGP) of the Union Territory of Ladakh, taking over the leadership of the region’s police force following his appointment by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). A 1999-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the AGMUT cadre, Jain has been transferred from Jammu and Kashmir, where he was serving as Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Armed Police. His appointment was announced by the MHA on June 22 and comes into effect immediately. With his joining, Ladakh now gets a full-time…

Leh/Kargil: Expressions of grief poured in from across Ladakh following the sudden and untimely demise of Inspector Mehraj Khalid Giri, with political leaders paying tribute to his service and extending condolences to the bereaved family. Hon’ble Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC Kargil, Dr. Mohd Jaffer Akhoon, expressed deep sorrow over the passing of the police officer and described him as a dedicated officer who served with commitment and honour. Dr. Akhoon conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, especially to his sister Nomo Bilques, and prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul. He also prayed for strength and…

Leh: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Monday posted senior IPS officer Anand Jain as Director General of Police (DGP), Ladakh, with immediate effect. According to an order issued by the MHA as per news agency—Indus Dispatch, Anand Jain, a 1999-batch AGMUT cadre IPS officer, has been transferred from Jammu and Kashmir to Ladakh and will serve as the DGP of the Union Territory until further orders. Jain was serving in Jammu and Kashmir Police and has held several key assignments in the Union Territory, including postings as IGP Jammu Zone, Director Anti-Corruption Bureau and ADGP Armed.

Leh: Ladakh Lt Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Sunday inaugurated a newly created water body under Project Him Sarovar at Spituk Pharka here, paving the way for the commencement of agricultural activities in the region after ages, an official said. This is the first of the four water bodies being created at the site under Project Him Sarovar. Another three water bodies are nearing completion and will be operationalised soon, a spokesperson of the Lok Bhavan said. Saxena, immediately upon assuming charge as LG Ladakh on March 13, had adopted a mission-mode approach to address Ladakh’s water scarcity challenges and…

Leh:  Vice President C P Radhakrishnan on Sunday participated in the International Day of Yoga celebrations here, joining hundreds of yoga enthusiasts at Astro Turf Stadium in Spituk. Ladakh Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena, Ladakh MP Haneefa Jan and chief executive councillor of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Kargil, Mohd Jaffer Akhoon also participated along with senior civil and military officers, students, and members of the public at the event, officials said. The celebrations featured a mass yoga session, with participants performing various ‘asanas’ against the scenic backdrop of the Himalayan mountains. Similar Yoga Day celebrations were organised…

Leh: Marking 100 days in office, Ladakh Lieutenant Governor (LG) Vinai Kumar Saxena on Sunday outlined a series of initiatives undertaken by his administration, asserting that the focus has been on localised, sustainable and scientific solutions to address the region’s unique challenges, while ensuring inclusive development. Saxena assumed charge as Ladakh’s lieutenant governor on March 13, three days after demitting office as the Delhi LG on March 10. “As I complete 100 days of service, as the Lt Governor of UT Ladakh, I reflect on this land’s unparalleled beauty and uniqueness. Ladakh, with its tough geographical terrain and fragile ecosystem,…

Leh: The Department of Tourism, Union Territory of Ladakh, has strongly condemned a recent incident of illegal off-roading inside the ecologically sensitive Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary, near Hanle (Kalak Tartar), terming it a serious violation of wildlife protection laws and responsible tourism norms. According to official reports, a tourist SUV bearing Himachal Pradesh registration number was found engaging in reckless off-road driving and was also seen chasing a Tibetan Gazelle, a near-threatened species. The incident caused significant disturbance to wildlife and damage to the fragile cold desert ecosystem of the high-altitude region. Acting swiftly on the information, the Department of Tourism…

Leh: Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan on a two-day visit to Ladakh reviewed key water conservation and livelihood initiatives, including the first rock check dam constructed on the Sindhu River at Upshi under the Sindhu Jal Samriddhi Abhiyan. During his visit to Upshi, the Vice President appreciated the eco-friendly and cost-effective intervention, which has been conceptualised and inaugurated last month under the leadership of the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena. The project is aimed at augmenting water availability in shallow stretches of the Sindhu River, enabling farmers to irrigate fields during the critical sowing season. He observed that…

Leh:  The Leh administration reviewed preparations on Friday for the upcoming visit of the 14th Dalai Lama to Ladakh, scheduled for June 28. Officials stressed the need for coordinated efforts to ensure the event proceeds smoothly. Officials said a high-level preparatory meeting was held in Leh between top officials and representatives of various departments and stakeholders, including the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA), Ladakh Gonpa Association (LGA), Health Department, Police, Tibetan Refugee representatives and other agencies. The meeting also held discussions to celebrate His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 91st birthday on July 6. Officials said stakeholders discussed security deployment, route planning,…

Leh::  Ladakh Lt Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Tuesday described the historic breakthrough of the Zoji La Tunnel as a “game changer” for the Union Territory, saying it will revolutionise connectivity and drive the region’s development. Calling the project a dream initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Lt Governor said the tunnel will provide year-round connectivity between Ladakh and the rest of India while significantly improving access to border areas. “The historic breakthrough of Zoji La Tunnel, a dream project of the prime minister, will prove to be a game changer in the development journey of Ladakh. This would…