STATE TIMES NEWS LEH: The Lieutenant Governor RK Mathur on Saturday visited Saboo village to inaugurate a village water reservoir which was requested for by the villagers during LG Mathur’s visit last year. Expressing happiness over the timely completion of the reservoir and as per the wishes of the people, LG Mathur stated that the importance of zing (traditional water reservoirs) has become all the more relevant with climate change becoming prominent and that concept of zing must be revived to cater to water needs of the people. Stating that the reservoir must be considered as a pilot project and its utility monitored, the Lieutenant Governor expressed the need for more such projects in villages in need. Further, he stated that water is precious and must be stored when available as Ladakh can’t rely on perennial sources for achieving its agricultural development goals. LG Mathur also stressed on committing to bringing new land under cultivation with easy availability of water. Based on the geographical conditions and requirements of a particular village, LG Mathur urged the engineers to find cost effective solutions for irrigation and drinking water, using available technology. The reservoir has been completed at a cost of Rs. 75 lacs by the Rural Development Department and has a storage capacity of 19, 70,146 gallons. CEC Leh, Tashi Gyalson, Deputy CEC Tsering Angchuk, ECs Tashi Namgyal and Stanzin Chosphel, Principal Secretary Pawan Kotwal, Divisional Commissioner Saugat Biswas, Secretary Tourism Kacho Ali Khan, DC Leh Srikant Balasaheb Suse, villagers, village representatives and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
