President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday said sustainable and responsible tourism was important for Ladakh to protect its natural beauty and environment.

Murmu, while addressing the Foundation Day celebrations of Ladakh at Leh, said the government had been taking several steps to ensure the carbon neutrality of the region.

“Development of infrastructure in Ladakh is being stressed which is also ensuring economic and tourism development.
However, sustainable and responsible tourism is important to protect the environment of the region,” she said on the first day of her two-day Ladakh visit.

She noted that the Autonomous Hill Development Councils of Leh and Kargil had strengthened the grassroots democracy and had taken meaningful steps for the development of Ladakh, especially for the youth employment.

She also said that budget provisions for Ladakh have increased five times in the last four years.

“Public sector enterprises have begun efforts to develop green energy.

The world's first high-altitude green hydrogen refueling station is being set up at Leh by NTPC.
Recently, the central government approved the green energy corridor project in Ladakh.

Under this project, renewable energy projects with a capacity of 13,000 MW will be connected to the grid through the interstate transmission system,” she said.

Earlier in the day, she was received by Lieutenant General BD Mishra and Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Pande in Leh.

“On November 1, the President will visit the Siachen base and interact with the troops.