Jacket made from Siachen waste, drive to clean Indus — Army goes green

SRINAGAR: The Indian army gifted a jacket made from recycled waste collected in the Siachen glacier region to Tashi Gyalson , the chief executive councillor (CEC) of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) in Leh earlier last week. The move is part of army’s green initiative focused on “innovative waste management and repurposing discarded materials from Siachen”.

The CEC also informed Lt Gen Hitesh Bhalla , General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 14 Corps of a drive to clean the Indus river and its tributaries. On June 19, alarmed by the presence of arsenic in the river, LAHDC-Leh announced a community-driven cleanliness campaign involving the army, paramilitary forces, ITBP, Border Roads Organisation, and local stakeholders.

Gyalson said there was a need to explore partnerships to support self-help groups and promote alternative livelihoods for local communities. The two officers also discussed the potential use of poultry waste including hen feathers from local slaughterhouses to develop marketable products.