Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Monday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to consider including Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, a move that would give the region more autonomy and allow its people to have a say in protecting their land and cultural heritage.
Wangchuk, along with about 75 volunteers, commenced a foot march from Leh to New Delhi on September 1, urging the central government to resume discussions with Ladakhi leaders on their longstanding demands.
Despite submitting a memorandum during Modi’s visit to Dras for the 25th Kargil Vijay Diwas in July, Wangchuk said he had yet to receive a response from the prime minister.
In a virtual press conference, Wangchuk suggested that the recent announcement of five new districts in Ladakh could be "indirectly linked" to their ongoing protests.
“We still do not know if these districts have been granted decision-making powers,” he said, expressing concerns over the centralisation of authority. “It would be unfortunate if the newly created districts do not have these powers,” he added.
Highlighting Ladakh's environmental fragility and vulnerability to climate change, Wangchuk urged the prime minister to recognise the urgency of granting greater autonomy to the region.
“Ladakh is an ecologically fragile area facing industrial and climate-related threats. I appeal to the prime minister to include it in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to safeguard the autonomy and rights of its people,” he said.
Wangchuk also pointed out that his march aims to draw global attention to the climate crisis affecting Ladakh, hoping to engage world leaders and the international community.
Wangchuk criticised the limited powers of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDCs) in Leh and Kargil, noting that they have only been granted authority to manage development funds.
“The people of Ladakh are demanding law-making powers too,” he stressed.
Wangchuk was clear that a single protest march would not resolve Ladakh’s issues. “We want the Centre to resume dialogue on Ladakh's demands,” he reiterated.
He clarified that he has no intention of joining politics and that the march is unrelated to the upcoming Assembly elections in other states.
In fact, “we are considering avoiding Haryana, which is about to hold elections,” he said.
Accusing the government of reneging on its promise to grant Ladakh tribal area status and full statehood, Wangchuk blamed “industrialists who want to exploit Ladakh’s resources.”
Previously, Wangchuk had criticised the allocation of land in Ladakh for solar-power projects without the LAHDCs' consent. With over 320 sunny days a year and the potential to generate substantial solar and wind energy, Ladakh is a renewable energy hotspot.
The government has already sanctioned a 13-GW renewable energy project, including a 7.5-GW solar park.
Earlier in March, Wangchuk staged a 21-day fast, subsisting only on salt and water, demanding statehood for Ladakh and protection under the Sixth Schedule to prevent "greedy" industrial exploitation.
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