New Delhi: Facing increasing water stress due to shrinking glaciers and erratic snowfall, Ladakh has launched an ambitious initiative titled Project Him Sarovar to secure water resources throughout the year. The project focuses on capturing and storing snowmelt and glacial runoff that would otherwise flow away unused during the brief summer season.
The plan involves constructing 100 village level reservoirs within a year, with 50 already in progress during the first phase across Leh and Kargil. Each reservoir is designed to hold rainwater and glacial melt, helping bridge the gap between seasonal water availability and agricultural needs. These structures are built using a blend of scientific planning and traditional conservation methods suited to the region’s fragile cold desert ecosystem.
The first operational reservoir has been completed in Stok village near Leh. Developed by restoring a natural depression, the site was cleaned, reinforced, and converted into a functional water body within just a few weeks. Spanning over 1,800 square metres, it can store nearly 3.5 million litres of water, sufficient to irrigate approximately 150 hectares of land.
The initiative is being implemented under the leadership of Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena, with support from multiple agencies including the Indian Army, Indo Tibetan Border Police, and Border Roads Organisation, alongside active participation from local communities and religious leaders.
Work is progressing simultaneously at several sites, with construction and restoration efforts underway in villages such as Spituk and Matho. The coordinated approach reflects a large-scale effort to address Ladakh’s long-standing water challenges, which have intensified due to climate change.
Unlike earlier localized solutions such as artificial glaciers and ice stupas, Project Him Sarovar stands out for its scale and speed. By combining infrastructure development with community involvement, the initiative aims to build long-term resilience and support agriculture in one of India’s most water-scarce regions.
