Leh: Four large reservoirs constructed under the Him Sarovar Project at Spituk Pharka have been filled with glacial meltwater, marking a significant step towards water conservation and strengthening environmental resilience in Ladakh.
According to the Ladakh administration, construction of the four glacial ponds was completed within five months. Work commenced on April 10, while the fourth and final pond was recharged and operationalised on September 9.
The first reservoir was filled on June 21, followed by the second on July 19, the third on August 24, and the fourth on September 9.
Each pond measures 60 metres × 40 metres × 2 metres and has a storage capacity of around 6 million litres. Together, the four reservoirs can conserve nearly 24 million litres of glacial meltwater that would otherwise flow away during the seasonal melt period.
A key feature of the project is the direct recharge of the reservoirs through seasonal water flowing from the Stok Glacier. The water has been diverted through the Igu-Pehe Canal to fill the ponds.
The conserved water is expected to support irrigation, ecological restoration and long-term water security in the region. The project is also projected to create a new command area of approximately 1,000 acres, potentially supporting agricultural activities in Ladakh’s cold and arid environment.
Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena hailed the achievement, highlighting its significance for sustainable water management, agricultural revitalisation and environmental resilience in Ladakh.
