Under our project titled "Integrating Ecotourism, Waste Management and Green Construction for Community Resilience and Livelihood Enhancement in the Himalayan Region", DA in collaboration with its partners, conducted 4 training workshops in Leh.
#LadakhTraining2025
Participants from Alchi, Markha, and nearby SHGs at the handicraft training in Leh, 15 Sept 2025.
Development Alternatives, in collaboration with implementing partner LEDeG (Ladakh Ecological Development and Environmental Group), conducted four training workshops in Leh under a project titled “Integrating Ecotourism, Waste Management, and Green Construction for Community Resilience and Livelihood Enhancement in the Indian Himalayan Region", supported by National Mission for Himalayan Studies (NMHS). The training sessions, conducted between 13-19 September 2025 targeted 150+ youth (including 80 women) from the villages of Alchi and Markha, and surrounding SHGs in Leh, Ladakh.
These workshops included hospitality training, handicraft skill development, eco-guide training, and a hands-on photography and filmmaking session, each tailored for the local capacity building and sustainable livelihoods and aligned with the “Community Resource Management” programmeme of Development Alternatives.
On 13 Sept 2025, ALHGA’s Norboo Wangchuk trained current and aspiring homestay owners at LEDeG Community Hall, Leh
The hospitality training, delivered by Mr. Norboo Wangchuk, a member of All Ladakh Hotel and Guest House Association (ALHGHA) focused on upskilling local homestay owners by introducing them to practices for sustainable ecotourism operations, guest management, and service quality. By aligning with best practices in green tourism and waste management, this workshop bolstered income opportunities and empowered women and youth, especially those wishing to start a career in this sector. This was followed by training sessions by the representatives of MakeMyTrip and Goibibo that introduced the benefits of online listing and marketing, and simple procedures to do so, for better and direct market linkage.
ALTOA held an eco-guide training at LEDeG Community Hall, Leh, on 16 Sept 2025.
The eco-guide training, delivered by a member of the All Ladakh Tour Operators Association (ALTOA) that included sessions on local trekking trails, and flora and fauna, where the participants learned principles of environmental conservation, sustainable tourism, safety, and effective communication to become stewards of their landscapes.
LEDeG’s Asma Yousef delivered the opening address at the handicraft training on 15 Sept 2025 at DC Office Hall, Leh.
The handicraft workshop brought together 80 women artisans from various self-help groups, offering training for branding, pricing, and market integration in both traditional and innovative handicraft techniques. This programme will soon be followed by an advanced ‘Trainer of Trainers’ mentoring for 15 artisans to ensure the sustainability of skills transfer within their communities.
Visual storytelling workshop with hands-on outdoor tasks by Stanzin Gya, 17–18 Sept 2025
Finally, the photography and filmmaking workshop conducted by Stanzin Gya, an internationally acclaimed filmmaker, introduced young participants to visual storytelling using smartphones, enabling them to document local culture, ecotourism initiatives, and rural enterprises. This creative training provided foundational skills in shooting, editing, and narrative building, helping youth amplify their voices and promote their communities to a wider audience.
Stanzin Gya trained aspiring and existing eco-guides at LEDeG Hall, Leh, 17–18 Sept 2025.
These four training sessions mark the first step in empowering the communities of Alchi and Markha to evolve as eco-smart villages in Ladakh, equipping them to better facilitate and sustain ecotourism in the future.
Live Radio