SRINAGAR: The first consignment of Ladakh-grown Lilium flowers was dispatched to major flower markets in India on Tuesday, in what the Union Territory administration called a major step towards boosting new economic opportunities and entrepreneurship in the cold desert.The consignment comprised 15,000 red, pink, white, and orange Lilium blooms cultivated at an altitude of 10,600ft at the world’s highest flower field at Choglamsar, Leh. These “A-grade” Liliums have four to five buds on each stem and fetch a premium price of around Rs 150-200 in retail markets. The flowers, with a shelf life of five to seven days, will be sold in various domestic markets, primarily Delhi, Mumbai, and Chandigarh.Ladakh lieutenant governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, who flagged off the consignment at Leh airport, said: “This first-of-its-kind high-altitude commercial floriculture project in Ladakh represents a major agricultural and visual shift for the region, which has, since ages, been identified by its rugged mountains and barren valleys. Millions of Liliums have added a vibrant contrast to this dull landscape.”

Saxena said the “historic” initiative had emerged as a powerful economic tool for creating alternative sustainable livelihoods in Ladakh.

Fifteen women cut, sort and package the flowers at these fields for a daily wage of Rs 900 each. A young, qualified botanist markets the produce to flower markets across the nation. The employees are all locals.The UT administration has directed deputy commissioners of Kargil, Drass, Sham, Changthang and Zanskar districts to replicate the high-altitude floriculture model by identifying at least 20 acres of land in each district.The flower field in Leh, which houses more than 25 lakh blooms, was developed and readied within just two months. It was opened to the public on Sept 17 this year and has since received an overwhelming response from visitors.