Completed Projects of Go Green Go Organic
Other Initiatives
The World Environment Day
World Environment Day celebrated by Go Green Go Organic team members with monks, students and residents of Lalok. Each year a cleanliness drive is undertaken in collaboration with NGO’s, LEHO, LERDEG and Ladakh DRYANGS. and Ladakh Drayangs) Together they clean the Pongyang lake.
Cremation Ground (Dhu-thod) and Neti-gang
Cremation Ground (Dhu-thod) and Neti-gang
His Holiness inaugurated the cremation ground at Lalok as the first phase of the G30 mission. Keeping the health and hygiene of the locales in mind.
In the absence of a clearly demarcated area for conducting funeral rites for the deceased, residents were going through some discomfort in terms of collecting materials for rituals and also causing pollution with the burning of wood etc. for the funeral pyre. Keeping these issues in mind His Holiness suggested the funeral activities to be conducted at site exclusively demarcated for this purpose.
Cremation Ground (Dhu-Thod) in Lalok
- Chushul
- Kargyam
- Yearath
- Chelam/ Pholongle
- Shachukul
- Tharuk
- Tangtse
- Punpun
- Nimgo
- Shayok
- Mugleb
- Phobrang
- Spangmik
- Merak
- Maan
To promote World Peace project of Neti-gang was started.Neti-gang is composed of two words i.e. Neti, an important religious text of Tibetan Buddhism and gang means a hillock, where the text of Netiis to be placed. Historically in Payng-go there is a sacred site known as ‘Tso-Lahto’ dedicated for the village deity, where 6thChungtsang Tenzin Chohyi Ladro (1868-1906) and Tak-lha Wangchuk the famous local oracle had offered a Golden Thunderbolt (Ser-Dorjey) to the local deity. An engraved text of Neti on an iron plate has been installed as a memorial to the peace of all sentient beings.
Young volunteers and Go Green Go Organic
Young volunteers and Go Green Go Organic
- One day workshop on the theme, “Youth’s perspective and role for Go Green Go Organic”, organized at Ladakh Sarai, Jammu.
- On 26th October 2014 by Go Green Go Organic committee in collaboration with Ladakh Drayangs and All Ladakh Student Association Jammu (ALSAJ).
Artificial Glacier
Ice-Stupa 31st March; An Artificial Glacier
- Taking note of the reducing precipitation and rainfall, causing the natural glaciers to shrink hence less water available for agriculture and household use, His Holiness supported and encouraged Sonam Wangchuk, to work on the idea originally conceived by Padamshree Aba Norphel, to construct Ice Stupas or artificial glaciers as they are popularly termed (as they perform almost the same function as a glacier).
- First ice stupa bullt ; 1st May 2014 A top the vast desert of Phyang village the first Ice Stupa was formally launched - present were His Holiness, Sri N. N. Vohra, Governor of Jammu and Kashmir and Engineer Sonam Wangchuck. of Jammu, by screening a short film ‘The Monk, The Engineer, and The Artificial Glacier’.
- On 23rd December 2014, Phyang Monastery and SECMOL Alternative School’s ambitious Ice Stupa Project has exceeded its $119,500 target through an American crowd funding platform, “Indiegogo” as over $125,000 (Rs.7,800,000) were raised as part of the campaign.
- 5th of March 2015, the Ice Stupa Artificial Glacier was inaugurated by His Holiness and 5000trees were planted. Present were also CEC Mr Rigzin Spalbar in the presence of various Rinpoches, Padmashri Aba Norphel, Sonam Wangchuk (SECMOL), Army Officers and people of Ladakh.
- 31st of March, Ice Stupa Artificial Glacier achieves another significant feat, attains a maximum height of 64 feet, surpassing the Guinness world record for the tallest man-made ice structure in China in 2010.
- Success of this pilot project illustratedthe potential to build 80 to 90 ice Stupas in Phyang village. Each of the ice Stupa can generate about 10 million liters of water. With the use of modern drip irrigation techniques, the water would be sufficient for growing plants in the dessert area of Phyang (1,500 acres).
- A Rough Math, One tree requires roughly 10 litres of water per day, smaller pilot ice stupa holds approximately 2 million litres of water, enough to sustain around 4,000 trees. The ice stupa irrigation is required for about 50 days from April to mid June. Each full sized ice stupa holding 10 million litres of water, can sustain up to 20,000 trees. A rough calculation shows 10 full sized ice stupas are capable of providing enough water for 200,000 trees. Assuming, survival rate of 50% 100,000 trees are able to reach maturity in five years’ time. The potential economic value is Rs.7,000 X 100,000 = Rs. 700,000,000, which is a significant contribution to the Ladakhi society in the future.
An Overview
| Villages/year | Plantation |
|---|---|
| Phyang | Willow/Poplar 5000 |
| Fruit Orchard 1000 | |
| Total (Approx.) | 6,000 |
His Holiness Gyalwa Drikungpa inaugurated the Artificial Icefall Glacier in Kukshow village.
- On 27th March 2017- His Holiness Gyalwa Drikungpa inaugurated the Artificial Icefall Glacier in Kukshow village. On that occasion, the councilor of Shakar-Chiktan, Mr. Mosin Ali, was the guest of honor. His Holiness expressed joy over the successful execution of the project with great diligence by the assigned workers.
- Addressing the gathering, His Holiness appealed to preserve and promote the distinctive communal harmony culture and pass the unique legacy to the young generation. He said, "the purpose of every religion is to benefit others. If one fails to understand the meaning of compassion, one fails to understand one's religion. For the village's development and prosperity, all, irrespective of being Buddhist or Muslim, we should come together. And then the practice of religion should follow after that. Kukshow village is a motto of communal harmony not only for Ladakh, India but for the whole world, he said.
- He also stressed protecting the birch trees and planting more juniper trees in the village. Kukshow is known for its centuries-old giant birch trees, which cannot be found anywhere else in Ladakh. The oldest Buddhist texts were written on the bark of birch trees.
- Speaking on that occasion, Mosin Ali, Councillor, praised the matchless bond shared between Buddhists and Muslims in the village and appealed to maintain the same for generations to come. He assured every possible assistance to extend the development of the village.
- The former Sarpanch Ali Mussa, on behalf of the all-Buddhist-Muslim community, expressed gratitude to His Holiness for His blessing with the project and requested that HH continues to bless the village. He also thanked the Tibetan Society for School and Culture, which funded the project.
Artificial Icefall Glacier (AIG) team felicitates with an appreciation certificate.
- Artificial Icefall Glacier (AIG) team felicitates with an appreciation certificate by the block Khaltsi administration acknowledging its effort to pacify severe water scarcity in several villages in Sham region of Leh district.
- A group of volunteer monks started the artificial glacier project in 2015 with the blessing of HH the Drigung kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche and financial support from the Swedish Tibetan Society for School and Culture. Subsequently, the initiative has been extended in seven villages in both Leh and Kargil districts since its commencement.
- Ven. Khenpo Konchok Gyaltsan receives the certificate from Sh. Tanveer Ahmed, SDM Khaltse block on the occasion of the nation's 72nd Republic Day today.
1st Green Ladakh Festival (2017)
- 25th March 2017, Go Green Go Organic, in collaboration with Phyang Monastery, Phyang village, the Defense Institute of High Altitude Research (DIHAR), Ladakh Environment Health Organization (LEHO), Student Education Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL) and Nature Conservation Foundation/Snow Leopard Trust (NCF/SLT) under the patronage of His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche celebrated and organized a One-Day Seminar on “Green Ladakh Festival” at Phyang Gonpa.Chief guest on the occasion wasDr Scharf of Germany, Bavaria, State Minister of Environment and Consumer Protection, Guest of Honour Hon’ble Dr Sonam Dawa then CEC of LAHDC-Leh. Also present, Executive Councilors, Councilors, Head of the Departments, Head of the religious organizations, Gobas from different villages.
- His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche distributed appreciation certificates with cash amounts for the Top Ten households/families from Lalok for the highest number of tree plantations in the last two years, and His Holiness awarded Kargyam and Shachukul villagers for voluntarily dedicating three valleys as Community Reserves for the conservation of Wildlife and nomadic traditions in the area; in addition.
Ladakh Organic Farmers Meets (2017)
A One-day Grand Farmer’s meeting under the theme “Ladakh Organic Farmers Meet: Towards Sustainable Agriculture Development” was held on 25th September 2017 at the Leh Polo-Ground under the aegis of H.H. The 37th Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang. The meet was organized jointly by the LAHDC, Leh, LEHO, LEDeG, Ama Tsogspa, Amchi Saba and Go Green Go Organic aimed at making Leh an organic district.
Plantation Drive at Lamayuru (2021)
The sangha members of Lamayuru monastery and people from Lamayuru village carried out a plantation drive. Several thousand willow tree planted in the foothill of Atitse village located at the adjacent of Lamayuru village and on a barren land near Khaltse village of Sham region.
An Overview
| Villages/year | Plantation |
|---|---|
| Lamayuru | Willow/Poplar (5000) |
| Total (Approx.) | 5000 |
Plantation Drive with Ladakh Police (2021)
- 12th of March 2021, Go Green Go Organic in collaboration with Ladakh Police (UT Ladakh) celebrated 75th Independence Day Anniversary (Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav). Around 7000 treesplanted at DPO complex Agling, Leh. The occasion was graced by IGP Ladakh Police SS Khandare as Chief Guest along with Ms. Tashi Dolma (Home Secretary UT Ladakh), Dr. Tsering Stobdan Scientist (DIHAR), Sh. Namgyal Durbuk Director Go Green Go Organic, other dignitaries and the volunteers.
An Overview
| Villages/year | Plantation |
|---|---|
| Police Head Quarter (Agling) | Willow/Poplar (7000) |
| Total (Approx.) | 7000 |
Plantation Drive with Karmapa Gonpa (2021)
Shri, Jamyang Tserinng Namgyail (Hon’ble MP) was the Chief Guest and launched plantation drive in Choglamsar organised by Go Green Go Organic in collaboration with Karma Gonpa & Forest Departments of Leh District in Union Territory of Ladakh while celebrating “Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav” commemorating the 75th anniversary of India’s independence.
An Overview
| Villages/year | Plantation |
|---|---|
| Karmapa Gonpa (Choglamsar) | Willow/Poplar (5000) |
| Total (Approx.) | 5000 |
Sharaswati Awards (2022)
The first Shawaswati award was conferred to Swami Chindanand Saraswati, Dr. Her Ray Sheng and Dr. Mohmmed Deen. Dr. Deen is an local environmentalist dedicated to ecological protection in the Himalayan region. His vision of transforming his hometown to an integrated organic area by 2025 is crucial to glacial and climate protection in Ladakh. Dr. Deen has made significant contributions to carbon neutrality, ecological agriculture system, afforestation, biodiversity, energy and water conservation, reduction of plastic use, protection of local cultural traditions and language diversity.
Vision of the Shravasti Awards is towards encouraging Humans to transcend their differences and work in harmony to create a balanced and sustainable enviornment for sentient beings to co-exist.
Green Solidarity: Documentary Film
20th March, Screening of documentary film on GREEN SOLIDARITY produced by Go Green Go Organic, at the behest of his Holiness was screened on 20th March 2022 at hotel grand dragon Leh, Ladakh directed and written by Stanzin Gya and team in collaboration with LAHDC Leh, Green Himalaya and Administration of UT Ladakh.
Buddha Purnima Leh 2022
- On 16 May 2022, the Ladakh Buddhist Assocaition (LBA), invited His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Thinley Lhundup to grace the occasion as chief guest on the occasion of 2566th Buddha Purnima Celebration at historic pologround Leh, UT Ladakh.
- Present on the occasion were, His Excellency, the Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Ladakh, Sh. RK Mathur, H.E. Thugsey Rinpoche, Gar Namrol Rinpoche, Khenchen Nyima Gyaltsen Rinpoche, Sh. Jamyang Tsering Namgyal (MP Ladakh), the Chairmen/CEC LAHDC Leh, Executives and Councillors of LAHDC Leh, the President of Ladakh Buddhist Association and Ladakh Gonpa Association, Monks and Nuns from different Monasteries were physically present in this historic celebration.
- A procession of devotees and students carriying religious texts around leh town, was organised and tableau carring illustrations from different aspects of the life of Buddha.
Plantation Drive at Chilam (Fulak)
17th May 2022, Go Green Festival 2022. 8000 saplings of trees and 1000saplings of Sea buckthorn planted, at the adjoining hamlets Yerath, Chilam, Phalonglay and Kargyam respectively aiming at protecting the depleting environment. Present were Achi Tsepal La, as chief guest, Drupon Konchok Tenzin Rinpoche and Shri. Tashi Namgyal (EC) as a guest of honour. Shri Konchok Phuntsok (BDC) the special guest, and many other dignitaries, including Patawari, Panch, Goba, Nambaardaar and the villagers of Yerath, Chilam and Phalonglay were present on the occasion.
Project was made possible by the Children of Tibet Trust Foundation and organised by Chilam Cultural Welfare Association under the guidance of Ladakh Medical Aid Society headed by Gyen Namgyal Gyalpo.
An Overview
| Villages/year | Plantation |
|---|---|
| G3O Site Fhulak | Willow/Wumbu 8,000 |
| Sea Buckthorn 1000 | |
| Total (Approx.) | 9,000 |
Outside Ladakh
6th May 2015, His Holiness conferred title ‘Mountain Partnership’- Ambassador of the United Nation (UN)’ from Eduardo Rojas-Briales (director of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nation), in the presence of Dr Andrew Taber (Director of the Mountain Institute), David Michael (Director of the environmental program) in the Stimson Center, Washington D.C., USA.
Petition to the Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary General of the United Nations
Go Green Go Organic headed by the His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche has submitted a petition on ‘Respond Urgently to the Climate Change by Setting Renewable Energy Target of 100% by 2050’ to the Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations in 2015. That has been supported by the All Ladakh Student Association Jammu (ALSAJ), Ladakh Drayangs, Manjushiri School Leh, Druk Pedma Karpo School, Shey and by many other individuals.
Plantation Drive at Dehradun (2015)
Guided by of H.H. the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang, Go Green & Go Organic's Join Venture with the Department of Forestry, Dehradun, Green Doon, Max Hospital, Dehradun on 12th August 2015, at Sahastradhara Road, Dehradun-India have successfully planted trees on the way from Kulhan to Sahastradhara, Dehradun.
An Overview
| Villages/year | Plantation |
|---|---|
| Sahastradhara, Dehradun | 1,000 |
HH Visit to Sikkim (2018)
His Holiness visited Sajong Rumtek at Sikkim and interacted with the farmers who were promoting the organic farming in East Sikkim. HH was accompanied by Sri. K. T. Gyaltsen, Former Speaker and Advisor to the Chief Minister of Sikkim, Smt. Tenzin Tsezin la and the members of the Organic Farming groups. Sikkim is stated as the first Organic State of India and local people are trying to bring back their age old traditional methods of cultivating and farming the vegetables and grains. They offered HH lots of different kinds of vegetables, rice and other organic products. HH was very impressed by their hard works and dedication for the Organic Farming.
Signing of Interfaith Pact (2018)
A historic interfaith pact was signed on 2nd June 2018 by HH Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche 37th Throne holder of the Drikung Kagyu Lineage and HH Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji President of Parmarth Niketan and Founder of Ganga Action Parivar and the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance (GIWA). In presence of the Hon’ble Minister of State for HRD and Ganga Rejuvenation, Dr Satyapal Singh.
The agreement was intended to bring together interfaith forces to inspire and lead programmes in indigenous herbal cultivation, water saving agriculture and tree plantations. This pact attains special significance in view of the State of Uttarakhand’s announcement to attain status of utilisising complete organic methodology in its food and fruits cultivation.
Go Green Go Organic Movement and GIWA’s Ganga River Institute for Sustainable Development, will together work towards this goal.
Plantation Drive at Dehradun (2019)
As directed by H.H. the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang, the Good Will Ambassador to the Mountain Partnership in UN, the plantation program was organised from the hill top of the Kahrai Goaun, Nagal to Sahastradhara Road and further towards the new Maldevta Road. The plantation started on the 6thof August and fully completed on the 13th August, 2019.
Volunteers planted 1500 trees across a spectrum of varieties depending on the requiment of the locale; ornamental trees like Gulmohar, Amaltas and Jakaranda on the main road side, and on the forest sides. Varieties of fruit trees for monkeys and wild animals. Bamboo, Banyan, Bodhitree, Pilthan, Neem in areas prone to landslides. These will also serve functional purposes for local villagers. Medicinal plants and herbs at the water sources in the forests also planted.
The volunteers from Doon Buddhist Committee, Green Doon Activist, Animal Lovers from Tibetan Settlement, Youth Association in Deklying and school children joined the week-long plantation program.
An Overview
| Villages/year | Plantation |
|---|---|
| Dehradun | 1,500 |
Russia 2021
On February 19, 2021, His Holiness spoke as the keynote speaker at “Baikal-Pure Chalice of Our Planet,” an online conference dedicated to identifying sustainable solutions for ecological challenges experienced in the Lake Baikal region in Russia. Other participants of the conference were local ecologists, indigenous shamans, and Buddhist leaders.
The conference was a follow up of a promise made during an earlier visit of His Holiness in 2016, to inaugurate the newly built Peace Stupa on the banks of Lake Baikal. spent time with local shamans forming partnerships with them. His Holiness had promised he would return to Lake Baikal and form a collaboration with local shamans on improving the ecosystem there. A scientists-community was given the task of of researching the ecological challenges in the area.
Due to the changed situation on the ground (onset of Covid-19) the conference was conducted online.
Mega Convention
Go Green Go Organic held its first mega convention on 17th July, 2022 at Phyang today headed by His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Thinley Lundup along with Chairman/CEC, LAHDC, Leh, Advocate Tashi Gyalson as the chief guest of the event.
Addressing the convention, His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Thinley Lundup talked about the importance of sustainable projects that are compatible with the conditions of Ladakh and discussed the future projects of Go Green Go Organic. His Holiness stressed the importance of documenting the medicinal herbs of Ladakh and their inclusion in the educational curriculam.
Chief Guest, CEC Gyalson spoke about taking the initiatives of Go Green Go Organic further selflessly and with dedication. He said that the certification from Go Green Go Organic would enable Hill Council Leh to help people avail government subsidies and benefits.
The mega convention held discussions on the past and future initiatives of Go Green Go Organic and the importance of finding solutions to tackle climate change.
Advisors of Go Green Go Organic, Director, LEHO, Dr Mohd Deen highlighted the importance of plantation while Former Ambassador, Tsewang Namgyal stressed on social and economic sustainability along with environmental sustainability.
The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to His Holiness for taking this initiative further and for including various regions of Ladakh within Go Green Go Organic mission. After a thorough discussion with His Holiness the following projects has been proposed in the coming year of 2023.
Dong Hybrid Yak
His Holiness Drikung sKyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche, Green Ambassador of UT Ladakh, took a new initiative to save the nomadic life and to promote sustainable development in the region. He secured the purchase of male and female hybrid yaks of Wild Yak (Bis Mutus) and Domesticated Yak (Bos grunniens) from Phobrang valley of Pangong valley. He distributed them to different valleys of Lalok regions among the eight Gobas (village heads. His Holiness bought eight calves from various groups as the first batch. The initiative's primary objective is to spread the more robust and healthier genetic breed of the Wild Yak (rDong) in the valley.
HH plans to spread this Yak breed to other sides of Changthan and parts of the world, like Sikkim and Bhutan, in the coming years. Life Release or Animal Liberation (rTsetar) is a traditional Buddhist practice of saving the lives of beings destined for slaughter. In that line, His Holiness has also committed to the liberation of this mix-breed of Yak.
The events were organized by Phobrang villagers under Goba Konchok Stobgais and blessed by Nurbu Tsang Rinpoche, Venerable Drupon Stanzin, Gen Konchok Tsephel Honorable Councillor LAHDC, Leh (Sangha Community).
Honorable EC Shri Tashi Yakzee and Shri Konchok Stanzin, Counselor for Chushul constituency LAHDC, Leh, also took part and assured the breeders to help in any way in the coming days.
Spiti Horse breed
The people of Phobrang village are very good at horseback riding. Horse racing is integral to every festival, where 40 to 50 horses and riders participate.
During the visit of His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche, people came with horses for the reception. His Holiness sponsored a Spiti Horse to spread different breeds of horses across the region.
The Spiti Horse breed has some similarities to Mongolian and Tibetan breeds. Genetic diversity analyses show it to be close to the Zanskari breed, which occupies a similar region in the Himalayas. Some interchange between the two species is documented, though the Spiti breed needs to be adapted to high altitudes.
The Spiti breed is fast and sure-footed on mountain terrain, moves safely on ice, and has good stamina and resistance to cold and disease. It is used both as a pack animal and for riding. The standard coat colors are bay, black, piebald, and grey. Therefore, His Holiness took a new initiative by buying a Spiti Horse to give to the people of the Phobrang, Yourgo, and Lukung villages. It will be an extreme help for nomadic families for transportation and riding. It is a real solution for environmental protection and sustainable development. The Hybrid of Changthanggi and Spiti Horse will be very useful and its strong genetics will help it adapt to the harsh climate.
Nomadic families primarily use horses for transportation. These will undoubtedly help these families.
Inauguration of The Great Prayer Wheel, "Drigung Kagyu Rinchen Khorchen Khorwe Go Gek"
Inauguration of The Great Prayer Wheel, "Drigung Kagyu Rinchen Khorchen Khorwe Go Gek"
The Great Prayer Wheel, "Drigung Kagyu Rinchen Khorchen Khorwe Go Gek" was inaugrated on 11th March 2023 at Samten Hills, Dalat, Vietnam by His Holiness Drikyung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche in the presence of H.E Drubwang Sonam Jorfel Rinpoche.
It has been officially recognised and listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as being the World's largest prayer wheel.
In addition, His Holiness Drikyung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche, the Chairperson of GoGreenGoOrganic who is also the Green Ambassador of UT Ladakh along with Honourable Member of Parliament Shri Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, Honourable Chief Executive Councillor Adv. Tashi Gyalson, President LBA Shri Thupstan Tsewang, Member National Commission for Minorities Smt. Rinchen Lamo, other eminent members from Ladakh, learned monks of Samten Hills Dalat, esteemed sponsors and other dignitaries from Vietnam, initiated the first ever plantation of GoGreen in Vietnam.
GoGreenGoOrganic also established its Vietnam branch broadening its reach for a sustainable world.
