STATE TIMES NEWS
LEH: In a significant development, renowned innovator, environmentalist and educationist from Ladakh, Founder Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh (HAIL) and Students Educational Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL) Sonam Wangchuk announced to start a five-day fast on Republic Day over climate issues on Khardongla top in a temperature of minus (-) 40 to highlight environmental issues concerning Ladakh and the Himalayans and also to seek constitutional safeguards under Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to protect the ecologically-fragile Ladakh from exploitations.
In a video message titled “All is not well in Ladakh” released on Saturday evening, Wangchuk appealed to the Prime Minister of India to intervene and safeguard Ladakh’s fragile ecosystem under the sixth schedule of the Indian constitution.
He also appealed to the people of India and the world to help protect the environmentally sensitive region of Ladakh.
The environmental activist reminded the Prime Minister of the promises made by BJP in its election manifestos during Lok Sabha in 2019 and Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Leh in 2020.
BJP had promised in its manifestoes to declare under the sixth schedule of the Indian Constitution to protect its distinct identity, rich cultural heritage, jobs opportunities and the fragile ecology.
Wangchuk argued that the Constitution requires 50% of a region’s population to be tribal to be eligible for 6th Schedule whereas over 95% of Ladakh’s population is tribal.
“India is the only country where the people of Ladakh are standing side by side with the forces. India’s security lies in the protection of Ladakh and the Himalayans,” he said in his video message.
Wangchuk announced that to convey his message more strongly to the Government of India and to draw the attention of the people of India and the world to the fragile environment and melting of glaciers, he will to sit on a symbolic climate fast that will be for five days, starting from the Republic Day, on the top of Khardongla under minus 40 Degree Celsius in the vicinity of glaciers showing solidarity with them.
“If I survive, I hope to see you again, otherwise farewell”, he concluded.
