Ladakh administration asks activist Sonam Wangchuk’s wife to stop ‘unauthorised activities’ at their Leh school

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Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, right, with his wife Gitanjali Angmo. File. | Photo Credit: Sushil Kumar Verma

The Ladakh administration on Tuesday (November 3, 2026) asked the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh’s (HIAL) Desert Flower School, run by activist Sonam Wangchuk’s wife, “to stop unauthorised activities of the school”, citing the matter pertaining to the allotment of land as “sub judice”. Meanwhile, Mr. Wangchuk extends support to people of Arunachal Pradesh resisting the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project.

“Desert Flower School of the HIAL Ecosystem has commenced functioning of the school without necessary clearance/approval from the competent authority. The administration asks HIAL to strictly maintain the status quo and avoid causing any prejudice to the case pending before the High Court of J&K and Ladakh,” said a spokesman of the L-G administration.

It claimed that the school “commenced activities without obtaining the requisite consent, clearances and approvals from the concerned authorities”. The administration pointed out that the matter concerning HIAL was pending adjudication before the court.

On September 22, Gitanjali Angmo, wife of Mr. Wangchuk, requested the Deputy Commissioner, Leh, for the issuance of a No Objection Certificate and clearance for the proposed members of the Managing Committee of the school located at Phyang, Leh. The Administration had cancelled the land allotment to HIAL in August 2025. 

“Accordingly, the notice issued by Tehsildar, Leh, has strongly advised HIAL to maintain strict status quo and not undertake any action whatsoever towards the functioning or commencement of activities,” said the L-G order.

Meanwhile, Mr. Wangchuk, who has been campaigning for a special status for Ladakh and was jailed last year under the National Security Act (NSA), on Tuesday (November 3, 2026) wrote a letter to President Droupadi Murmu and appealed for intervention “to protect the rights of indigenous communities, democratic freedoms, and the fragile Himalayan ecology in Arunachal Pradesh”.

“I write to you with a heavy heart, as an environmental activist from Ladakh who has spent decades working to protect our fragile Himalayan environment. I urgently seek your intervention in the disturbing situation unfolding in the Siang Valley of Arunachal Pradesh, where indigenous communities, particularly the Adi people, are resisting the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project. We in Ladakh understand their pain,” reads the letter.

Mr. Wangchuk said for years, people of Ladakh have been peacefully demanding constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule to protect fragile ecology, ancestral lands and cultural identity. “We know what it feels like when decisions affecting our future are taken without adequately consulting us. Coming from an indigenous tribal community yourself, you understand that for us, nature is not merely a resource to be exploited, but a mother to be protected,” the letter reads.

In the letter, Mr. Wancghuk highlighted the reports about thousands of security personnel being deployed, young activists arrested, and villagers subjected to intimidation and restrictions on movement.

“There are serious allegations of police excesses, including against elderly villagers, and criminal cases against those opposing the project. What pains me particularly is the attempt to portray people raising legitimate concerns as anti-national or foreign-funded,” said Mr. Wangchuk.

He said it was deeply unfortunate that people who have stood by the nation in its most difficult times should face such accusations. “We have witnessed such allegations in Ladakh over the past year, and now similar accusations are being made against the people of Arunachal Pradesh. Such shortsighted accusations, particularly when made without credible evidence, do not strengthen national security. They weaken it. In sensitive border regions, the trust, goodwill and active cooperation of local communities are among our country’s greatest strategic strengths,” said Mr. Wangchuk.

He also appealed for de-escalation, protection of democratic rights and biological safeguards.

“Respected Rashtrapati Ji, the Himalayas are both the water towers of India and the shield of our borders. Protecting their ecology and respecting the communities who have lived here for generations is not against national development or national security. It is essential to both. I sincerely hope that your understanding of indigenous communities and the moral authority of your office will help bring peace, justice and meaningful dialogue to the Siang Valley. Our border communities deserve to be treated as trusted partners in nation-building, not as suspects for raising their voices,” he added.

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