LEH, SEPT 29: Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Tuesday flagged off Ladakh’s first commercial air consignment of locally grown Lilium flowers from KBR Airport, Leh, marking a significant step towards establishing high-altitude floriculture as a new livelihood and entrepreneurship avenue in the Union Territory.
The first consignment comprises 15,000 A-grade Lilium stems, cultivated at an altitude of 10,600 feet at Choglamsar, described as the world’s highest-altitude flower field.
The premium-grade stems, carrying four to five buds, are being transported to major flower markets in Delhi, Mumbai and Chandigarh.
The flowers are available in red, pink, white, yellow and orange varieties and have an estimated shelf life of five to seven days.
The initiative seeks to diversify agricultural activities in Ladakh and create sustainable income opportunities for farmers, women and local youth.
Speaking on the occasion, LG Saxena described the initiative as a historic step towards developing commercial floriculture in Ladakh.
He said floriculture has the potential to emerge as a viable economic activity by creating alternative livelihood opportunities and promoting agricultural diversification.
The initiative has already generated local employment, with 15 women engaged in cutting, sorting and packaging operations at a daily wage of ₹900 each.
A qualified local botanist has been entrusted with marketing the flowers in national markets.
As a symbolic gesture marking the launch, the Lieutenant Governor presented bouquets of Ladakh-grown Liliums to the crew members before flagging off the consignment.
