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Sustainable Development on the “Roof of the World”

Ladakh/ Little Tibet, LEDEG

Problem

Extreme poverty underscores the Indian region of Ladakh, located in the Himalayas. Above all, the region lacks proper housing, energy and work opportunities. The financial support that tourism offers pales in comparison to the rubbish tourists leave behind.

Solution

We are helping the people of Ladakh with a long-term perspective. After equipping 20 families with solar-stoves, we built flood-resistant houses and now implement effective waste disposal measures.

Images

    News

    New objectives setted after successful reconstruction

    Written by Sarah-Indra Jungblut,

    Since its funding environmental protection is in the center of LEDeG engagement in Ladakh. With the flood catastrophe in August 2010 the project focused in reconstruction since houndreds of families were left homeless. Now the recontruction is almost finished and the project continues with its former topics. Read on

    More than 24 houses completed

    Written by Sarah-Indra Jungblut,

    Good news from Ladakh: They have completed 24 two room houses (one kitchen + one room) and one individual toilet for each family in Palam. The rooms were formally handed over to the affected families on 2nd October, 2011 at a ceremony presided by Tourism Minister of J & K state. Amongst other Mr. Eric Christoph, Chief Executive Officer of Habitat for Humanity also participated. Read on

    Reconstruction continues

    Written by Sarah-Indra Jungblut,

    Still there are families without robust housing before winter starts. Since summer is short and next winter soon to come the organisation concentrates on building new resistant houses for the remaining homeless people. The next 3 houses are about to get built... The report of activities in 2010 and plans for are 2011 is attached. Read on

    News on the Reconstruction in Leh!

    Written by Rima Hanano,

    It is the second month into LEDeG reconstruction effort, and the work has moved into higher gear now. As LEDeG had stated in their Shelter Strategy document, the goal was to help at least 25 families to construct new shelters, and another 25 families to repair/retrofit their houses which were partially damaged by the floods. Read on

    Thank you for helping! - Reconstruction of houses starts

    Written by Jenny Louise Becker,

    The flash floods of August 5th-6th, caused largely by cloudbursts around Leh town, is the worst natural disaster in the history of the region. The worst affected were parts of Leh town and a settlement colony near Choglamsar village, 10 KMs from the town, though many villages, largely in the Khalse block, also suffered heavy losses. Read on

    Cloudburst over Leh

    Written by Jenny Louise Becker,

    On August 6th a tremendous cloudburst over Leh in Ladakh, North India caused flash floods which claimed several lives and made thousands homeless. The rain did not stop until August 8th, which complicated the supporting measures. Read on

    Anna's Internship Report: My internship at the Ladakh Ecological Development Group (LEDeG) in Leh, Ladakh, India

    Written by Eve,

    After completing my Political Science course at the University of Heidelberg, I began to search for an interesting internship in the field of renewable energy and Emission Trading. In the search for a suitable project, in which I wanted to combine my interest in renewable energies and the South Asian Subcontinent, I stumbled upon the RESET website in July 2009. Read on

    Project Description

    The stunning beauty of the mountains in Ladakh is not untouched. Civilisation, summiteers and other guests leave their traces in high altitudes and at the edges of settlements, creating mountains of waste among mountains of stone. After having equipped people with solar cookers and reconstructing houses after the region was devastated by floods, the organisation LEDeG now pushes forward the waste topic, initiating a program to reduce and manage waste.  

    Solid waste is a growing concern in Ladakh. With civilisation and alpine tourism came not only development and wealth but also waste to the Himalayas, growing from piles to mountains. The visitors bring lots of waste with them such as trekking and hiking equipment, packaging of western products and other things made out of plastic. They also introduced the need for formerly foreign items like drinks in bottles and tins, chocolate bars and packaged food.  

    Tin waste is collected by individual business people but plastic waste is not collected efficiently and is separated and reused by anybody—although the municipal committees are doing their bit to keep the towns clean on a daily basis. The current system of disposal still relies on landfill areas as well as open burning and pollutes air and ground. Waste management and reduction is one of the most serious issues facing the people of Ladakh in the future.  

    LEDeG will start a full year campaign on solid waste management in the towns Leh and Kargil and some tourist spots. They plan to use all means of education and information so that the issue is taken seriously at all levels. Activities regarding waste reduction, reuse and recycling will be initiated.  

    The project team wants to educate people about the hazards associated with improper disposal and also about the need to separate wastes in proper categories. Seminars and other events will take place. Also planned are cleaning drives in collaboration with other organisations.  

    About LEDeG

    LEDeG, the organisation Ladakh Ecological Development Group (LEDeG) is a Non-Governmental Organisation with the goal to promote the ecological and sustainable development of Ladakh, which harmonises with and builds on the traditional culture. Since its formation in the year 1983, Ladakh Ecological Development Group (LEDeG), Leh, has been striving to address the environmental, economic and cultural issues affecting the communities residing in the structurally disadvantaged areas of Ladakh.

    The head office of LEDeG is in Karzoo, Leh. The organisation also has branches in Kargil and Zanskar which conduct projects specific for those regions. The head-office has a well-equipped library, an exhibition hall, conference hall and a craft shop at the Karzoo Centre in Leh. Each year, the organisation has several national and international volunteers who get involved in various ongoing projects in Leh satisfying the organisation's need for staff.

    LEDeG also has a demonstration campus (where all of its projects are put into operation), approximately two kilometres from the head office. The demonstration campus has a fully equipped workshop, store-house, agriculture-testing centre, a plantation of apricot trees, a greenhouse where vegetables are grown in the summer, a solar passive Trombe-technology hostel and guest house for trainees and guests. It relies only on solar energy for electricity and water heating. The group runs a Rural Building Centre near Choglamsar, on the outskirts of Leh. 

    Helena Norberg-Hodge, winner of the Right Livelihood Award and co-founder of LEDeG: "Throughout the world today there is a growing awareness of the failings of the Western model of development and a corresponding desire to look for more human-scale, ecological ways of living. If Ladakh now succeeds in creating for itself a future which retains the foundations of its traditional past, it will be an inspiring example of how all the various elements of an ecological future fit together."

    Contact:

    Ladakh Ecological Development Group Karzoo, Leh - Ladakh 194101 J&K State (INDIA) Website:http://reset.to/profiles/resetto/themes/bw/images/smallsprite.png); background-position: 0px -1000px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; " target="_blank" title="www.ledeg.org">www.ledeg.org