Ladakh Admin to hold UT-wide “Anti-Drug Padyatra” on September 17

District administrations asked to organise awareness marches, pledge-taking ceremonies as part of campaign for Drug-Free Ladakh

LEH: The Union Territory of Ladakh Administration will organise a UT-wide Padyatra on September 17 as part of its campaign against drug abuse, with the main event scheduled to be held in Leh under the leadership of Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena.

According to a communication issued by the Directorate of Social & Tribal Welfare, the Padyatra will begin at 9 am in Leh and is intended to serve as a visible expression of the Administration’s collective resolve towards making Ladakh a Drug-Free UT.

The Deputy Commissioners of Kargil, Sham, Zanskar, Nubra, Changthang and Drass have been asked to organise Padyatras in their respective areas during the same period. The route, starting point and culmination point of each march are to be finalised at the district level, taking into consideration public accessibility, visibility and effective outreach.

The programme will also feature a pledge-taking ceremony as part of the sixth-year observance of the “Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan”, with the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment organising the National Pledge against Drug Abuse across the Union Territories. The pledge is aimed at reaffirming the collective commitment towards preventing substance abuse.

The Social & Tribal Welfare Department has called for meaningful participation of students, youth, government departments, police, NGOs, community representatives and other stakeholders in the district-level programmes.

The administrations have also been advised to use placards, banners and slogans carrying clear and positive messages on drug prevention and the vision of a Drug-Free Ladakh. Eco-friendly banners have been suggested for the campaign.

The department has further asked the concerned authorities to ensure adequate media coverage and photographic and video documentation of the events, with brief reports and photographs to be submitted after completion of the programmes.

The September 17 initiative comes amid the Administration’s broader efforts to strengthen awareness and prevention measures against substance abuse in Ladakh, with the Padyatra intended to bring together government agencies, educational institutions, youth and community organisations around the campaign.