Ladakh

Ladakh becomes India's first 100% organic Union Territory

Ladakh has been declared India's first 100% organic Union Territory, marking a major milestone in sustainable agriculture. Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena credited farmers and the administration for promoting chemical-free farming, conserving the fragile Himalayan ecosystem, and creating opportunities to improve farmers' incomes through better market access for organic produce.

18 days ago

Jaffer Akhoon resigns as LAHDC Kargil CEC; Ladakh administration dissolves council

Expelled National Conference leader Dr Mohammad Jaffer Akhoon has resigned as Chief Executive Councillor of LAHDC Kargil, prompting the Ladakh Administration to dissolve the Council with immediate effect. Akhoon's resignation, following his recent praise of BJP leaders, has fuelled speculation about his possible entry into the saffron party.

22 days ago

Ladakh talks end without consensus; next round scheduled for October 22

The fifth round of talks between the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and Ladakh's Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance ended without consensus. Both sides agreed to resume discussions on October 22 after exchanging draft proposals. The Ladakhi groups reiterated their demands for a legislature and constitutional safeguards, while BJP leader Tashi Gyalson expressed optimism about reaching an agreement in the next round.

27 days ago

From Barren Land to Golden Spice: Ladakh Begins Saffron Cultivation

Ladakh has launched a pilot project to cultivate premium saffron on reclaimed barren land in Leh, using around 800 kg of high-quality Iranian saffron corms. The initiative, undertaken under Project Him Sarovar, aims to diversify agriculture, explore new income opportunities for farmers, and assess the suitability of saffron cultivation in Ladakh's high-altitude agro-climatic conditions.

Oct 2, 2026

Ladakh Sends First Air Consignment of 15,000 High-Altitude Lilium Stems to National Markets

Ladakh has taken a major step towards promoting commercial floriculture as Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena flagged off the first air consignment of 15,000 A-grade Lilium stems from Leh to national markets. Cultivated at an altitude of 10,600 feet, the flowers will be marketed in Delhi, Mumbai and Chandigarh, with the initiative aimed at creating sustainable livelihoods and new economic opportunities in the region.

Sep 30, 2026

MHA blames climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, others for provoking youth to violence in Leh

Sonam Wangchuk Defends Tibet-Ladakh Comparison, Apologises to Tibetan Friends

Climate activist and Leh Apex Body leader Sonam Wangchuk defended his comparison between the situation in Ladakh and China's treatment of Tibetans, saying he was referring only to the Leh violence of September 24 and not to the decades-long suffering of Tibetans. He also apologised to Tibetan friends who were hurt by his remarks. The Central Tibetan Administration criticised the comparison as "misplaced and inaccurate".

Sep 26, 2026

Ladakh Doubles Its "Wonder Berry" Sea Buckthorn's Price to Rs 300/kg, Hosts First International Conclave

Ladakh has doubled the procurement price of sea buckthorn to Rs 300/kg and launched its first International Sea Buckthorn Conclave in Leh. The move, inspired by PM Modi's "Sanjeevani" praise, aims to boost farmers' income, cut massive crop wastage and build a complete value chain for the Himalayan superfruit.

Sep 18, 2026

Ladakh Fills Four Ponds With Glacier Meltwater, Boosting Water Security in Cold Desert

Ladakh has achieved a major water-conservation milestone by filling four large ponds at Spituk Farka in Leh with glacier meltwater under Project Him Sarovar. The ponds can store nearly 24 million litres of water and are expected to support irrigation, ecological restoration and long-term water security across nearly 1,000 acres.

Sep 17, 2026

Ladakh May Get Special Constitutional Safeguards Under Proposed Article 371 Provision

Ladakh may get a sui generis governance model with a directly elected UT-level body and special constitutional safeguards under a proposed Article 371 provision. Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra said the model would have legislative, executive and financial powers, while protecting Ladakh's land, natural resources, culture and environment.

Sep 11, 2026

Day after India's UN map remarks, Pakistan provokes again over Jammu and Kashmir

Pakistan's foreign ministry on Monday called India's stance on Jammu and Kashmir "baseless", a day after the Ministry of External Affairs clarified New Delhi's position on a UN resolution over global map representation. The exchange followed India's backing of an African Union-backed UN General Assembly resolution to "rebalance" the world map.

Sep 8, 2026

Centre empowers district collectors to grant citizenship under CAA; New rules shift decision-making power

The move is aimed at reducing administrative layers and speeding up the citizenship process, with pending applications also to be transferred to the respective Collectors.

Aug 25, 2026

'J&K Important Part Of India..Americans Would Enjoy Coming Here': US Envoy Sergio Gor After Meeting CM Abdullah In Srinagar

Gor met CM Omar Abdullah and said they discussed deepening economic collaboration and creating mutually beneficial opportunities. The visit marks the first by a US envoy to J&K since the abrogation of Article 370

Aug 19, 2026

Leh Violence: Ladakhi Leaders Seek Withdrawal of Cases, Compensation for Victims

Veteran Ladakhi leaders Thupstan Chhewang and Tashi Gyalson met Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena and urged the administration to withdraw cases against youth linked to the September 24, 2025, Leh violence. They also sought financial assistance for affected families, early submission of the inquiry report and an early meeting with the Centre on the broader Ladakh issue.

Aug 18, 2026

India's First Global Black-necked Crane Festival Draws Tourists, Bird Lovers to Ladakh

India's first-ever Global Black-necked Crane Festival has opened in Ladakh, attracting tourists, bird lovers, conservationists and experts from India and abroad. The August 11–14 festival aims to promote black-necked crane conservation while strengthening ecotourism, local livelihoods and community participation across Changthang.

Aug 12, 2026

World is not fooled by orchestrated spectacles: India lambasts Pakistan over 'Youm-e-Istehsal', bloodshed in PoJK

India, stated Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, categorically rejects the "political absurdity" and futile attempts by Pakistan to observe the so-called Youm-e-Istehsal to spread malicious propaganda against India.

Aug 5, 2026

'There Is No Pakistani Kashmir': India Slams NYT Over PoK Reference, Reaffirms Jammu & Kashmir And Ladakh As Integral Parts

India has objected to The New York Times for referring to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as "Pakistani Kashmir," calling the description misleading. The Indian Embassy in the US reaffirmed that Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh are integral parts of India and accused Pakistan of illegally occupying the territory.

Jul 30, 2026

Ladakh Gears Up for India's First Black-necked Crane Festival Across Leh, Tso Kar and Hanle

The Union Territory of Ladakh will host India's first-ever Global Black-necked Crane Festival from August 10 to 14 across Leh, Tso Kar and Hanle to promote wildlife conservation, sustainable tourism and community participation. Dedicated to the Black-necked Crane, Ladakh's state bird and the world's only alpine crane, the festival aims to showcase the ecological and cultural significance of the Changthang wetlands.

Jul 26, 2026

No Talks with Pakistan Except on PoJK, Says Rajnath Singh at Kargil Vijay Diwas; Hails Operation Sindoor

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday declared that India would hold no talks with Pakistan except on PoJK, asserting that Operation Sindoor demonstrated the country's resolve to respond decisively to terrorism and cross-border aggression. Addressing the 27th Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrations in Dras, Ladakh, he criticised Pakistan for promoting terrorism as state policy, and highlighted the government's commitment to strengthening national security, border infrastructure, and self-reliance in defence production.

Jul 26, 2026

Political Twist in Kargil: NC, BJP Join Hands to Defeat Congress Bid to Oust Akhoon

In a significant political development in Ladakh, the National Conference and the BJP joined forces in the Kargil Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) to help Chairman Dr Mohammad Jaffer Akhoon retain his position, defeating the Congress's bid to unseat him through a no-confidence motion. The passage of the council's budget with the support of 20 councillors highlighted an unlikely political convergence between the two rivals, even as they remain bitter opponents in neighbouring Jammu and Kashmir.

Jul 15, 2026

Ladakh Groups Call Bandh Today, Accuse Centre of Backtracking on May 22 Consensus

The Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) have called for a complete shutdown across Ladakh on June 23, alleging that the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Union Territory administration are delaying the implementation of commitments made during the May 22 meeting in New Delhi.

Jun 23, 2026

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