Ladakh becomes India's first 100 per cent organic Union Territory
Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena declared the status for the region on October 25, 2026.
Ladakh has become India's first 100 per cent organic Union Territory, according to a report by the Times of India. Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena made the declaration on October 25, 2026.
The move focuses on chemical-free farming to protect soil and water resources. The Organic Research Centre noted that global retail sales for organic food and drink reached 145.0 billion euros in 2024. Providing individual organic certification to farmers aims to increase their exposure to international markets and boost incomes.
The region's food culture relies on staples like barley and buckwheat, which are resistant to the cold and dry climate. Traditional dishes include khambir, a thick whole-wheat bread, and skyu, a vegetable and dough stew.
In the Nubra region, The Balti Farm in Turtuk offers dishes like ba-leh, which are barley noodles in lamb broth, and kisir, consisting of buckwheat pancakes with yoghurt relish.
Leh features dining options such as The Jade House, which serves artisanal breakfasts using local ingredients, and Tsas by Dholkar, a plant-based restaurant located in apple and apricot orchards. Alchi Kitchen, located 70 km from Leh, also serves traditional meals prepared by local women.