Sonam Wangchuk’s fast enters into day 15; Protest march next to border to highlight how much “land Ladakh has lost to China and corporates”

Educational reformist and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk is unfazed by no response from the Central government, even as his 21-day fast entered into the 15th day on Wednesday. He has now warned of leading a march of 10,000 Ladakhi people towards the Sino-India border to highlight two issues- one alleged intrusion into the Indian territory of Ladakh and two, alleged takeover of land by industrialists and corporates.

The protest started on the demand for inclusion of Ladakh in the sixth schedule of Indian constitution, apart from the demand for statehood for the Union Territory but Wangchuk has equally stressed on the need to understand the fragile ecology of Ladakh and the long term consequences it can bear if disrupted.  “Ladakh and the Hindukush Himalayas are supposed to be the third pole of the planet, holding the largest reservoir of fresh water that feeds roughly about 2 billion people, 1/4th of the planets population. The whole of North India depends on these waters. You all know that global warming melts the glaciers but what you don’t know that they are affected by black carbon as well. Black carbon is released due to local Humana activities. Research shows glaciers next to the highway on which diesel trucks and cars ply, are melting faster than elsewhere. Imagine what would happen with rampant industry, mining etc are allowed in this fragile land. That would melt all our glaciers. Local people of Ladakh will become climate refugees but the entire north India will run out of water. Thus this affects all”, said Wangchuk in a video message on Wednesday.

Sixth schedule was part of the poll manifesto of the BJP back in 2019. The protests that started early in February, snowballed with the participation of thousands of people demanding special status under the sixth schedule so that locals can have a say into the entry of corporates into the land, keeping the interest of climate in mind. For the past 15 days Wangchuk had been on a fast and has warned to continue the agitation in every 21 day phases, following the Gandhian footsteps. Locals who have joined him in the protest, like him had been braving the chilling cold every night and sleeping out in open. “Some 115 people slept in the open last night along with me to remind the Indian government of the promises they have made to safeguard the fragile ecology and the unique indigenous tribal cultures of the people who live here under the sixth schedule of the Indian constitution”, Wangchuk added.

While the dates are being deliberated, sources close to the climate activist has confirmed that he may lead the protest march to China border on March 27, soon after his fast ends depending on his health condition or else may postpone it to mid April this year.