Our Journey

Indo-German Bilateral Programme – Solar Heating of Buildings in Ladakh and Kargil

2013-2015

Between 2013 and 2015, LEDeG participated as a core implementing partner in the Indo-German Bilateral Programme on solar heating in Ladakh and Kargil. The project was a collaboration among multiple stakeholders including the Indo-German Energy Programme, Solar-und Wärmetechnik (SWT), Solar Institute Jülich (SIJ), MNRE, LREDA, and KREDA, and was funded by the International Climate Initiative (IKI) under Germany’s Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety (BMU).

The initiative, managed under GIZ's ComSolar programme, drew on SIJ’s extensive experience in designing solar thermal heating systems in Argentina’s Altiplano region. The objective was to reduce the dependency on biomass and firewood during Ladakh’s harsh winters by promoting solar-heated buildings using locally manufacturable technologies.

LEDeG played a crucial role in site selection for solar active heating interventions, market surveys for local material availability, coordination of training sessions, and preparation of outreach materials. SIJ led the technical innovations, SWT evaluated insulation solutions and building stock, while LREDA and KREDA were tasked with demand generation and quality assurance.

Results:
Two trial houses—Kurja House and Dumting House—were retrofitted with solar thermal systems. Following promising outcomes, the project was expanded to eight additional homes across Ladakh and Kargil. The initiative laid a strong foundation for integrating solar heating in high-altitude architecture and building public sector capacity for energy-efficient retrofits.

Integrated Urban Water Management (IUWM) in Leh and Kargil

2018-2021

From 2018 to 2021, LEDeG, in collaboration with BORDA, implemented the Integrated Urban Water Management (IUWM) project in response to the escalating challenges of water scarcity and poor sanitation infrastructure caused by rapid urbanization in Leh and Kargil. The increasing population burden had strained the existing systems managed by the Public Health and Engineering Department (PHE), leading to frequent water shortages and over-dependence on groundwater.

Recognizing the novelty of the IUWM approach for the region, LEDeG and BORDA facilitated an exposure visit for PHE staff to Malkapur, Maharashtra, where they observed a successful model of 24×7 piped water supply. Inspired by this, a pilot project was initiated in Gangles village near Leh, although early implementation faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, the pandemic also expanded the scope of the project to include public hand hygiene and sanitation improvements. The project introduced hand wash facilities, sanitation infrastructure for municipal workers, and awareness campaigns across both districts.

Results:

A 24×7 water supply pilot was successfully implemented in Gangles, Leh.
A hand wash facility was constructed at Boys Higher Secondary School, Leh.
A water stand post was established at Housing Colony, Leh.
A WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) facility was designed and implemented specifically for sanitation workers.
Municipal sanitation staff were trained in solid waste management practices.
3,000 dustbins were distributed equally across Leh and Kargil districts.
PHE staff were trained in water quality management.
Kargil municipal staff were trained in waste segregation at source.
A visionary policy document titled “Leh Vision 2030” was published under this project.
Four educational films on sanitation practices and urban hygiene were also produced as part of the outreach efforts.

High Altitude Medicinal Plants Workshop

2019-2021

Liveable, Inclusive and Resilient Himalayan City Project, funded by the European Union, aimed to strengthen the capacities of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) to create a more environmentally friendly and resilient urban center in Leh. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, LEDeG adapted its strategies to include support measures, such as procuring handwashing machines and distributing face masks. The project included capacity-building workshops for local officials to enhance leadership skills and improve city management. Significant progress was made in developing an Eco-Cultural Park, with a Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Leh Development Authority. Despite challenges posed by the pandemic, LEDeG organized training programs on solid waste management and facilitated international city pairing initiatives. The project also aimed to develop a roadmap for achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) related to urban management, including strategies for integrated water management, solid waste management, and public health. Overall, the project has significantly impacted urban sustainability efforts in Leh, fostering greater awareness and community engagement in climate-related issues.

Fruit Processing Initiative

2000-2005

In 2000, LEDeG received an official license for food processing from the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India. With this authorization, LEDeG launched a comprehensive fruit processing project aimed at generating local employment and utilizing the region’s abundant fruit resources, particularly apricots and seabuckthorn.

The organization conducted extensive training sessions for both men and women from rural fruit-growing areas of Ladakh in techniques such as osmosis drying, jam and juice preparation, squash and ketchup making. LEDeG also facilitated access to essential machinery and tools, which were distributed among trainees. Packaging materials and preservatives were procured and provided to the producers, who were then supported in packaging and sealing their products.

Once processed, LEDeG purchased the products at a fixed rate and marketed them both within and outside Ladakh. Local tourists were the primary consumers within Ladakh, while for external markets, LEDeG collaborated with various distribution partners across India. The products developed under this initiative included:

Apricot jam
Seabuckthorn jam
Apricot juice
Seabuckthorn juice
Multiple varieties of dried apricots
Apricot oil
Mixed pickles
Packaged apricot nuts

This initiative significantly contributed to local livelihood generation and the promotion of Ladakhi value-added products.

Solarisation and Apricot Valorization Projects

2001

In 2001, LEDeG, in partnership with GERES, undertook the solarisation of 20 houses in the Solar Housing Colony near Leh. In addition, the project emphasized the valorization of apricot products in the Kargil region, seeking to enhance their commercial and nutritional value through improved processing and marketing techniques.

Improvement of Agricultural Structures in Ladakh (LEDeG and BORDA)

2001

In 2001, LEDeG collaborated with BORDA to revive an ongoing project focused on improving agricultural infrastructure in Ladakh. Under this renewed effort, BORDA funded the installation of seven hydraulic ram pumps (hydrams), which are mechanical water-lifting devices suited for irrigation in mountainous terrain.

Workshop on “High Altitude Medicinal Plants of Ladakh”

2002

In 2002, LEDeG, in collaboration with the Ladakh Amchi & Astro Sabha (LAAS), organized a landmark workshop focused on the identification and documentation of high-altitude medicinal plants of Ladakh. Rooted in the ancient Tibetan tradition, Amchis—traditional medicine practitioners—have historically played a central role in local healthcare systems, with specialized knowledge in astronomy, religion, and medicinal plant use often passed down through generations within families. Over time, with the rise of modern medicine, much of this traditional knowledge had faded, along with the understanding of Ladakh's indigenous flora.

Motivated by the increasing threats to plant biodiversity and the urgent need to conserve endangered species, LEDeG and LAAS undertook this initiative as part of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. The workshop was organized in a series, including field surveys where Amchis were stationed in different locations to collect and identify plants. The initiative saw participation from 52 Amchis from across Ladakh. They collectively identified 12 endangered plant species and made a formal request to the Director of the Field Research Laboratory to initiate cultivation and propagation efforts for these species. Participants also agreed to document medicinal plants from their respective regions and contribute to a larger effort of building a comprehensive database. LEDeG’s initiative was one of the first large-scale community-led efforts for the conservation of traditional medicinal knowledge and plant biodiversity in Ladakh.

Integrated Development of Durbuk Block Using Renewable Energy

2002-2006

In one of its most ambitious rural energy projects, LEDeG collaborated with ICEF, MNES, and LAHDC to launch the “Integrated Development of Durbuk Block” project. Located near the Line of Actual Control with China, the Durbuk block—comprising six villages—was heavily dependent on a 250kVA diesel generator for electricity.

To provide a more sustainable solution, four 25kWp Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) plants were installed, with system specifications designed by TATA-BP Solar. The Renewable Energy Development Corporation (REDCO), formed as a community-based institution, was handed full operational control.

In addition to energy supply, the project included the distribution of 2000 CFL bulbs, solar cookers (400 SK-14 parabolic and 85 box types), installation of 9 solar-powered water pumps, 330 improved chullahs, and retrofitting of 116 homes for better insulation. The initiative also supported eco-tourism, women’s entrepreneurship, and vocational training.

Outcomes:

4×25kWp SPV plants installed
400 SK-14 parabolic cookers, 85 box-type solar cookers
330 improved chullahs installed
9 water pumping systems deployed
116 houses retrofitted
8 eco-tourism units created
12 self-help groups formed
Exposure visits to Uttarakhand and Mandi (Himachal Pradesh) organized

Socio-Economic Upliftment through Mini-Hydro Projects

2002

Building on the success of the earlier micro-hydro projects from the 1990s, LEDeG, in collaboration with BORDA, proposed a new project in 2002 to replicate 20 mini-hydro units across villages that lacked access to electricity. The proposed units were of two capacities: 0.6–1.5kW and 3–5.5kW. These were targeted for 20 electrification-deficient villages across Ladakh.

The project involved strong community participation, with beneficiaries contributing to the cost of transmission lines and civil works—covering 53% of the total project cost. The turbines were developed by International Engineering and Trading Co. (INTECO), Delhi, and included attachments like wood saws, oil expellers, and grinders. LEDeG supervised the turbine production, installation, and wiring, and also trained local operators.

Village Electricity Committees (VECs) were formed to manage operations post-installation. VECs were responsible for collecting tariffs and paying operators. Additionally, skill development training in tailoring and cashmere wool spinning was offered to women from diverse backgrounds to support income generation.

Outcomes:

20 mini-hydro sets and 4 hydrams installed
20 local operators trained
Formation of VECs for decentralized energy governance
Skill enhancement training for women in tailoring and spinning

Income Generation for Rural Populations in Cold Desert Areas

2003-2007

LEDeG, in collaboration with BORDA, GERES, LNP, LEHO, and SKARCHEN, launched a multi-stakeholder project to support income generation in Ladakh’s cold desert regions. With shrinking agricultural lands (less than 0.5 hectares per household) and a transition from a subsistence to a cash economy, the region faced mounting pressure on its fragile ecosystem.

This project aimed to preserve Ladakh's cultural heritage while integrating local communities into the broader Indian economy, with a focus on basic service access and sustainable resource use. The project facilitated capacity building, vocational training, and local enterprise development in order to secure livelihoods and reduce ecological stress.

DEWAS – Decentralised Energy and Water Services for Remote Areas

2003-2005

In 2003, LEDeG and BORDA jointly launched the DEWAS project to improve livelihoods in remote mountainous areas through decentralized water and energy services. The project aimed to alleviate poverty and health risks caused by the absence of electricity and reliance on paraffin-based lighting. DEWAS combined power generation with other utility services and skill development.

Results:

Electrification of 11 villages with power capacities between 1.5kW and 10kW
Formation of Electricity Management Committees
Installation of 20 additional hydrams
3 flour grinding machines installed
2 large community water heaters (200–300L) and 5 smaller 35L units installed
Women’s self-help groups trained in pashmina weaving, knitting, wood carving, and pickle making

Low Energy Consumption (LEC) Housing Programme

2011

In 2011, LEDeG, in collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders including LREDA, LNP, LEHO, GERES India, PWD, CEC, and MCL, undertook a pioneering initiative to promote energy-efficient construction in Ladakh under the Low Energy Consumption (LEC) Housing Programme. The project aimed to address the region’s extreme climatic conditions and reduce winter energy consumption through two main construction approaches—Passive Solar Housing (PSH) and Energy Efficient Housing (EEH).

Passive Solar Housing incorporated solar architectural designs using locally available thermal insulation materials to absorb solar heat during the day and release it indoors at night, while EEH relied primarily on locally sourced insulation without the full solar thermal design. These buildings were fully insulated, including the floor, walls, roof, and double-glazed south-facing windows to maximize solar gain.

Results:
The project resulted in the construction of 570 LEC buildings across Ladakh. Additionally, LEDeG trained 80 masons and 45 carpenters in energy-efficient building technologies at the grassroots level, significantly enhancing local technical capacity. It also supported 400 artisans under the handicraft sector. A Resource Building Center was established to monitor, support, and document the construction and training processes.

That same year, LEDeG received the prestigious “NGO of the Year” award from CNN-IBN, recognizing its exemplary work in sustainable development and community-based innovation.

Integrated Ecological Sustainable Development Project

2021

Project Introduction:
The Integrated Ecological Sustainable Development Project aims to strengthen climate-resilient practices in Ladakh through community-driven agriculture, water management, and organic farming. By addressing critical challenges such as youth migration, water scarcity, and organic farming knowledge, the project seeks to create sustainable livelihoods and promote environmental stewardship.

Key Achievements in 2021:

Greenhouse & Youth Migration:
A 16x32ft polycarbonate greenhouse was built in Likir to enable year-round vegetable cultivation. This initiative helps reduce youth migration by providing income-generating opportunities locally.
- Outcome: Successful winter crops, contributing to farmers' sustainability and creating potential for expansion.
Organic Farming & Composting:
27 compost pits were constructed in Ayee, allowing farmers to produce organic compost and sell excess to the market.
- Outcome: Increased self-sufficiency in manure production and new income opportunities for farmers.
Water Management:
An artificial glacier was built in Ayee to ensure irrigation during water-scarce months, addressing the impact of melting glaciers due to climate change.
- Outcome: Improved crop production through a sustainable water supply for irrigation.
Community Engagement & Gender Equality:
Youth and women's self-help groups were actively involved in project activities, including organic farming and composting.
- Outcome: Increased female participation in farming and decision-making, fostering gender equality within the community.

Royal Enfield Project

2022 - 2024

Ice Hockey Coaching for Students: The Ice Hockey Coaching initiative under the Royal Enfield Project aimed to provide ice hockey coaching and equipment to children from rural Ladakhi areas, particularly Chumathang and Sumoor. The project sought to foster winter sports in Ladakh and promote youth participation in competitive sports while encouraging local tourism.