Sustainable Integrated Solid Waste Management in Trans-Himalayas

Leh town is district headquarter of Leh district of Ladakh division of J&k located in north of the greater Himalayan range called Trans-Himalayas. The Zaskar the Ladakh the Kailas and the Karakorum are the main mountain ranges of the Trans-Himalayan system characterized by arid rugged and mountainous cold desert environment. Historically the town used to be an important stopover on the glorious silk route connecting western Europe with eastern Asia through it. Though the region is basically a cold desert even basic economic activities like agriculture has not flourished properly. However over the years tourism has been gaining grounds and opening new vistas for Ladakhis. Tourism industry is predominantly concentrated in Leh town. From hydrological point of view the region is very essential as it contributes huge perennial water supply to the Indus river system. Geologically the region is very sensitive but ecological very interesting possessing some rare species of flora and fauna like black necked crane the sate bird of j&k.Therefore environmental management in this region is of vital significance for the sustainable development of the Indian subcontinent.