India, May 20 -- Historian Thomas Fuller once said, "One that would have fruits must climb the tree." When one mentions Leh, the picture that comes to mind is a place with the rugged terrain of the Himalayas and sparse vegetation.

On October 29, 2012, the people of Leh witnessed an event where an attempt, though a small one, was made to turn the perception around. Volunteers planted nearly one lakh Ladakhi willow trees which was a world record. Those saplings have now grown into trees and are located between the Hemis monastery (Ladakh's largest monastery) and the Indus River. In 2017 at a tree plantation drive organised by the Leh Forest Department, hill council chief executive councillor, Dr Sonam Dawa said, "the hill council has a roa...