In Leh, tree plantation drive to stem spike in pollution

To address increasing air pollution caused due to deforestation in the rugged terrain of Leh, local authorities are conducting a tree plantation drive.

"Hill Council has made a road map to save the environment by planting more trees on barren land and also stressed on the need of water conservation," said Hill Council Chief Executive Councillor Dr Sonam Dawa.

Locals believe that since Leh is blessed with the suitable climatic conditions to grow trees like apple, apricot, poplar, willow and walnut they can clean the city's air by planting more of these shrubs.

"We have different types of apple trees. Due to the good weather conditions, the apple growth is very good in our village. Since the last few years, we have started to grow different types of vegetables also. Our people are trying to grow more and more trees and vegetables in the village," said of the local from Pheyvillage, Thubstant Dolma.

Explaining the value of planting more trees, TsewangNorboo from Stakna village said, "We can plant trees in all the vacant places in our village and towns where we live. Trees save us from flood and many other natural calamities. We can plant at least one tree on special days like on our birthday.

"We already have very fewer trees, if we will continuously cut the trees, it can be very harmful to both human beings as well as for animals. If we cut trees, then in place of the cut tree we should plant as many trees as possiblem" he said.

According to authorities, the plantations will not only help in protecting the environment but will also help marginal farmers increase their income.