LG Saxena, French Envoy discuss sustainable Tourism collaboration in Ladakh

LEH: Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena and French Ambassador to India Thierry Mathou on Saturday discussed avenues for collaboration in sustainable tourism, adventure sports, skill development and educational exchange, with a focus on creating opportunities for young people in Ladakh.

During the meeting, the French Ambassador proposed establishing a professional mountaineering guides’ training school in Ladakh to develop internationally trained mountain guides while promoting environmentally sustainable tourism practices suited to the region’s fragile Himalayan ecosystem.

The two sides also discussed identifying young aspirants from Ladakh for professional training in France as certified mountain guides and tourism facilitators. The proposed exchange programme aims to equip local youth with international standards in adventure tourism, hospitality and mountain safety.

Another proposal discussed during the meeting was the introduction of the French language in public schools in Ladakh. The initiative is intended to expand opportunities for students in higher education, cultural exchanges and tourism-related careers while strengthening engagement with French-speaking visitors and institutions.

Expressing optimism about the discussions, the Lieutenant Governor said he looked forward to translating the proposals into concrete initiatives that could strengthen cooperation between Ladakh and France. He noted that such collaborations have the potential to enhance skill development, create sustainable livelihood opportunities and further promote Ladakh as a destination for responsible tourism and adventure sports.

The discussions reflected a shared emphasis on preserving Ladakh’s ecological heritage while expanding international cooperation in tourism, education and specialised skill development.