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Ladakh, Sept.12 (ANI): The Gyalwang Drukpa, the head of the Drukpa Lineage (proponent of Mahayana Buddhist philosophy and founder of Live to Love humanitarian initiatives) today announced a plantation drive across Ladakh as part of efforts to conserve the environment in the region.

The drive dedicated to a greener Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi, was kicked off today by monks, nuns and the members of YDA ( Young Drukpa Association) of Drukpa Lineage who planted 1016 trees near the Hemis monastery in Ladakh.

The number 1016 was chosen as it marks the birth year of Drukpa lineage’s Indian guru, Naropa, as a support to live to love initiatives.

The trees planted during the drive comprise of Poplar and Ladakh Willow, which are native to the region.

This plantation across Ladakh is a part of initiative to conserve the environment in the region and the lineage has already undertaken several environmental initiatives in the past.

This plantation drive will culminate during the Commonwealth Games 2010 with an attempt a Guinness World record. Expressing his enthusiasm at the fruition of his dream, the Gyalwang Drukpa said: “The harsh conditions in these hilly terrains cannot be a deterrent in our duty towards those who are suffering because of environmental hazards. This is an attempt to conserve the environment of Ladakh and an attempt to strike a green balance in the most difficult terrain In the Himalayas. I am proud to dedicate this plantation drive to a greener Commonwealth Games 2010 and I urge that this drive along with the people of Ladakh will spur several such initiatives and will pray for a cleaner, greener India”.Commenting on the drive, Sachin Pilot, Minister of State for Communication and IT, said: “This is a special occasion, as Drukpa Lineage has initiated a green campaign in the most difficult terrain in the Himalayas. I am happy that this campaign is dedicated to the sustainable development of the Leh region.”

He added: “I sincerely hope that the efforts of the Lineage and the prayers of all our fellow countrymen across India will give strength to the people of Ladakh during these trying times.”

Suresh Kalmadi, Chairman, Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi, said: “We are committed towards establishing the first-ever Green Commonwealth Games and have set forth for a Green vision of ’striving towards reducing the carbon footprint, ultimately setting a benchmark for all multi-disciplinary Games in the future.”

Jagmohan Bhanot, Officer on Special Duty, Delhi CWG 2010, said: “We are leveraging the Games platform to conduct extensive plantation programmes with the objective of bio diversity enhancement. The potential sequestration of Games related emissions is one of the key focus areas for us in the 2010 Delhi Environmental Programme. We are extremely happy to be associated with the tree plantation drive initiated by His Holiness Gyalwang Drukpa in Ladakh, which will be a true lasting environmental legacy of the Games. Our efforts will also create a sustaining legacy for Delhi and the nation.” (ANI)