Solar power plant to be launched in Leh

NEW DELHI: DRDO chief VK Saraswat will launch a solar power plant, thermally-controlled greenhouse and an advanced hatchery unit at Leh tomorrow to mark the golden jubilee celebrations of the Defence Institute of High Altitude Research (DIHAR) there.

Located at an altitude of 3,500m, the lab was set up in 1962 to fulfil the fresh food requirements of the defence forces deployed in Ladakh sector and has emerged as a leader in the area of cold arid agro-animal technologies, DRDO said in a release.

The major thrust of the institute has been on research for productivity enhancement in vegetable cultivation and utilisation of high altitude plant wealth for herbal products, it said.

Due to the pioneering work by the laboratory in high altitude areas, about 60% of vegetables, 25% of milk and about 10% of meat requirements of army troops deployed there are being met locally, the release said.

"All these activities of the institute have brought close affiliation of the local people in the border area towards the Indian Army," it added.