Leh: The Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, RK Mathur, today chaired a departmental review meeting to discuss the progress of Agriculture / Horticulture / Animal, Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries / Power Department / Cooperatives / Youth Services and Sports, at Raj Niwas. Secretary Ravinder Kumar was present in the meeting.
LG Mathur suggested the Animal, Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries Department to increase the artificial insemination programme of cattle/livestock to 7000 per annum through private vendors on Public-Private Partnership (PPP) basis for long-term benefits. He also stressed on the need for intensive publicity on the benefits of artificial insemination among the public.
LG Mathur advised that a milk pasteurisation unit may be set up in Kargil as per the capacity of milk production and stressed on the need to expand milk pasteurisation units in Ladakh to meet the demand. He emphasised on the need to make the milk pasteurisation unit at Leh functional and assess the number of milk production units required to meet the demands of milk from the Army. He stressed on the need to include hypoxic properties in A2 milk from indigenous cows while seek certification from ICAR-NBAGR. He stressed the need and for surplus milk production in summers and store surplus milk in tetra packs to increase its shelf life for usage in the winters.
LG Mathur advised that certification of yak wool from Government of India along with Geographical Indication (GI) tagging is needed for pashmina and yak wools. He stressed on the need for upgradation of wool lab with assistance from Wool Research Association (WRA) / NITRA . He advised that a conference may be organised on fodder policy involving the Hill Councils, Block Development Councils (BDCs), other elected representatives and stakeholders.
During the discussion on the feral dog issue, LG Mathur stressed on the need for universal coverage of sterilisation of feral dogs in Ladakh in two rounds for a long-term solution. He suggested processing of raw wool and selling it as yarn instead of raw wool for more economic benefits. He advised conducting a baseline survey by Directorate of Coldwater Fisheries Research, Bhimtal, on all aquatic resources of Ladakh.
LG Mathur advised the Horticulture Department to engage of a consultant for the development of the sector. He suggested setting up of a Gamma Ray Radiation unit to increase the shelf-life of apricots and other perishable fruit items. He further suggested the Department to increase the target of bore-wells as well as vermicompost units for increased production.
LG Mathur, during the review of the Agriculture Department, advised vermin-compost and bore-wells, as an integral part of the polycarbonate greenhouses. He stressed on the need for the adoption of innovative techniques such as vertical farming and the production of mushrooms and raising awareness about such techniques among the farmers. He suggested using drone on fields and using Agri technologies on a pilot basis in Ladakh.
LG Mathur advised saturation coverage of providing vermi-beds/vermin-compost units on subsidised rates in Ladakh. He advised the Agriculture Department to develop an agriculture market with proper facilities in Leh and Kargil in association with Municipal Committee Leh/Kargil and the Hill Councils.
LG Mathur advised the Cooperative Department for adopting the PPP model for the operation and maintenance of the cold storage in Leh. He also advised them to de-register the dead societies. He suggested setting up Bami Duniya medicine shops in all Community Health Centres (CHCs) in Ladakh.
During the review of the Youth Services and Sports Department, LG Mathur advised that a Sports Incentive Policy may be framed to provide cash awards, reservations in jobs and other support, including equipment and participation in different tournaments, to encourage sportspersons from Ladakh. He suggested tying up with MC Leh and other concerned stakeholders to expand open gyms in Ladakh. He advised the Department to publicise Ladakh Marathon and provide facilities such as lockers for the participants. LG Mathur advised the Department to assist in the training of mountaineering guides from Ladakh who are seeking 4-year certification course from IFMGA.
While reviewing the Power Development Department, LG Mathur advised that electrification of small villages in remote areas such as Pangong and Kargyam may be done through grid connectivity instead of solar in off-grid mode. He stressed on the need to develop an additional 100 MW project in association with a Navratna company.
Earlier, the concerned officials from the departments gave a detailed presentation on the progress and plans for the development of their departments.
