The Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh is known for its arid yet beautiful mountains, picturesque passes and Buddhist monasteries. The UT is popular among the bikers who ride all the way from the plains to experience the scenic yet rock roads in the region. The UT because of its unique topography is considered to be an eco-sensitive zone. As a result of this, the development of the area is stagnated for many years.
With more focus and innovations in sustainable development, the corporates are now utilizing their resources under CSR in the newly formed UT of Ladakh with the support of the Government. In this context, let us look at the top CSR projects in Ladakh.
HDFC Bank – Project Himalaya
HDFC Bank under its CSR arm Parivartan, launched project ‘HIMALAYA’ in the Leh district of Ladakh in 2024. ‘HIMALAYA’ stands for High-Altitude Income Maximization and Adaptive Livelihoods Advancement for Youth. The Bank has partnered with, Partnering Hope Into Action Foundation (PHIA) and, Appropriate Technology India to implement this initiative. This transformative project aims to revolutionize agricultural practices in Leh Ladakh, fostering sustainable farming techniques and economic empowerment.
Project ‘HIMALAYA’ is a Skill Development and Livelihood Enhancement initiative by the Bank and is aimed at supporting communities in the hilly regions, towards generating a climate-resilient livelihood. Key activities under the project include training locals in agriculture and milk value chain-led skills, formation of farmer producer groups and vegetable value chain producer groups and installation of solar passive greenhouse, vegetable nurseries, and solar street-lights. Project-HIMALAYA represents a holistic approach to rural development, emphasizing community empowerment and environmental sustainability. Through the formation of producer groups and the adoption of modern agricultural techniques, the project aims to create a ripple effect, catalyzing socio-economic progress across the region.
CSR of Power Grid Corporation for safe drinking water
Power Grid Corporation of India Limited in July this year handed over a Truck Mounted Water Tanker with 9 kL capacity to DC Kargil for Government Degree College, Kargil under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
On the occasion, DC Kargil while handing over the water tanker congratulated the college faculty and students saying it fulfilled a long-pending demand of the college, thereby addressing their water scarcity issues. Executive Director (Northern Region-II), Rajesh Kumar, highlighted Powergrid’s contributions to the region, emphasizing their commitment to providing ongoing support to the Union Territory of Ladakh. The cost of the tanker is approximately 29.59 lakh.
More than 3,000 students are enrolled in various undergraduate degree courses at Govt. Degree College, Kargil. Permanent water supply for daily use was a primary concern for the college. To resolve the issue, college authorities had raised the matter with the District Magistrate, Kargil who in turn requested Powergrid to provide a water tanker to ensure an ample supply of potable drinking water for the Govt. Degree College, Kargil students and staff. Subsequently the MoU for providing this tanker was signed the tanker was formally handed over to DC, Kargil for the use of Government Degree College, Kargil.
This project is an initiative of Powergrid in District Kargil, towards promoting education. The company has been continuously extending support for development of various infrastructure activities in the Union Territory of Ladakh through its CSR initiatives.
CSR of Bisleri for restoration of Ladakh Reservoir
Bisleri International announced the successful restoration of Ladakh Reservoir in the Kyagar region of Tegar Village, Nubra Valley, Leh in September last year. The project aims to strengthen the local community’s resilience and alleviate the risks of water scarcity. The primary objective is to revitalize the Kyagar Panchayat Reservoir, bolstering the region’s water infrastructure and addressing its agricultural needs. The reservoir, measuring 135 meters in length, 90 meters in width and 2 meters in depth, underwent a thorough desilting and repair process to optimize its capacity and operational efficiency. The project also included essential repairs to the water canals, extending over 3 kilometres.
Bisleri International’s initiative to repair and restore the reservoir serves a multifaceted purpose. It has significantly increased the storage capacity to 24.3 million litres, providing a dependable water source crucial for the agricultural requirements of 210 families and approximately 1,050 households. It supports crop irrigation, including wheat, barley, apples, apricots, cherries, and a variety of vegetables such as potatoes, onions, tomatoes, mustard seeds, beans, peas, carrots, cabbage, and various green vegetables. This initiative ensures sustained agricultural activities throughout the year, extending beyond the monsoon season, enhancing crop productivity. Also, it contributes to livestock maintenance and improves sanitation facilities within the community.
Kyndryl skilling Ladakh’s youth
IT infrastructure services provider Kyndryl in December 2023 announced collaboration with the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives Ladakh (HIAL) to empower Ladakhi youth with real-world entrepreneurship skills that can solve region-specific problems and support sustainability goals.
As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility outreach Kyndryl will support the “HILLs Fellowship in Integrated Mountain Development”, HIAL’s flagship program. The commitment involves sponsoring students enrolled in the program as well as providing career guidance. Kyndryl’s volunteers will also support the students with tech and non-tech assistance as required.
Residents of Ladakh and other Himalayan mountain regions need customized learning approaches and skills to overcome the unique social and environmental challenges native to their environment. The 11-month immersive program bridges this skills-gap by focusing on hands-on practical learning that builds expertise in specific topics such as environmental studies, sustainable entrepreneurship, responsible tourism, and eco-responsive architecture to help students become social entrepreneurs.
CSR to benefit the children of Ladakh’s Hanle village
In a unique collaboration, the Royal Bikers Group, partnered with NGO Noora Aman Foundation, and Giesecke & Devrient MS India, a Gurgaon-based IT company, to launch a heart-warming CSR initiative “Let’s Spread Warmth” for the people of Hanle, Laddakh in October 2023. Through the “Let’s Spread Warmth” initiative, the three institutions have embarked upon a mission of installing a solar-powered room heating system in the school hostel with the aim to provide a warm and comfortable learning environment for the children of Hanle.
Hanle is located at an altitude of over 14,000 feet above sea level, newcomers often grapple with health issues like altitude sickness and fatigue. The thoughtful step is of critical importance for the children of Hanle, considering the awe-inspiring landscapes of Ladakh is also characterised by extreme weather, high altitude, and isolation. The installation drive for solar-powered room heating system will create a comfortable learning environment, even during the harshest weather conditions, ensuring that children can pursue their education without the threat of dropping out due to the frigid climate.
Obeetee Carpets Weaver Training Programme for women artisans
Obeetee Carpets, a hand-woven rug company announced in March this year that it has successfully concluded a 30-day weaver training program for women artisans of Ladakh. The training program was a government-led initiative to empower women artisans in Ladakh and provide them with an opportunity to learn new skills during the winter season, when they have downtime from household work.
The training program was divided into two parts, with 15 days of training conducted in Leh and another 15 days in Kargil. The local artisans were trained in Tibetan knotting techniques by master weavers. Kanhaiya Lal, Obeetee Carpets’ Tibetan Master Weaver, and Ramesh Maurya, Obeetee Carpets’ Persian weaver, led the training program.
The training program was aimed to create a community of skilled artisans who can produce high-quality, hand-woven rugs that meet international standards. Through this program, Obeetee Carpets is trying to support the local economy of Ladakh and provide sustainable employment opportunities for women artisans.
PwC India Foundation’s plantation drive near Leh
The PwC India Foundation, in partnership with the Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL), organised a plantation drive in a valley close to Leh, Ladakh, India to commemorate the World Environment Day in June last year.
Ladakh is a high-altitude desert where ecosystems and communities rely on glaciers releasing ‘fossil’ water from thousands of years ago. Climate change has caused the size of glacial streams to shrink in the upper valleys of Ladakh. To help solve the problem of water shortages in spring for the agriculture-dependent communities in the valleys of Ladakh, PwC India Foundation partnered with SECMOL in 2019 and started the ice stupa project, and has undertaken several other concerted efforts to restore the valley’s fragile ecosystem by improving its green cover and empowering communities by helping them generate livelihood opportunities.
Royal Enfield’s CSR in Ladakh for Electrification of Umba Village
Under the guidance of Kargil Renewable Energy Development Authority (KREDA), the Global Himalayan Expedition (GHE) in partnership with the CSR project of Royal Enfield has installed a 17.5kW Solar Electricity system in Umba. The village is 60 KM away from district headquarter Kargil and is situated in the toughest terrain at 13,000 thousand feet height. It remains cut off for five months during winters and had no electricity till the end of last year. Under the project, 103 Solar Grids were set up in the region designed to serve a total of 97 Households and 7 Masjids with more than 500 LED Lights, along with street lighting for the community.
Each solar grid was provided with a battery backup that will enable 4 days of continuous grid running even in cloudy conditions.
