'All Is Not Well': Sonam Wangchuk To Start Five Day ‘Climate Fast’ At -40°C To Save Ladakh's Glaciers

On January 26, Sonam Wangchuk intends to observe a five-day "Climate Fast" at the 18000-foot Khardungla Pass, where temperatures are -40°C.

Screengrab of video of educational reformer Sonam Wangchuk.

Source : Sonam Wangchuk/Youtube Video Screengrab

New Delhi: Ladakhi icon and educational reformer Sonam Wangchuk urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take action because "all is not well in Ladakh." On Republic Day, Ladakhi icon Sonam Wangchuk will begin a five-day fast in protest of Ladakh's climate issues. During the fast, he will petition the Indian government for constitutional protections for the ecologically fragile Ladakh glaciers.

On January 26, Sonam Wangchuk intends to observe a five-day "Climate Fast" at the 18000 feet Khardungla Pass, where temperatures are -40°C.

The video's title is derived from a well-known Bollywood song from the movie 3 Idiots, in which Wangchuk played the protagonist.

“I am going on hunger strike from January 26, Republic Day. Republic Day is the day when India adopted its Constitution. I am not going to do this hunger strike at home. I will do it on the road and in the cold. I will not go for a hunger strike in Leh city but will do it at the heights of Khardungla,” says Wangchuk, a noted innovator and recipient of prestigious awards such as Ramon Magsaysay and Rolex Award.

In a video titled All is not well in Ladakh, Wangchuk further said, “Here temperature goes down to —40*C. I will do the hunger strike in the shades of these glaciers, expressing solidarity with them to give a message to the world. If I survive, I will meet you again.” 

ALL IS NOT WELL in Ladakh!
In my latest video I appeal to @narendramodi ji to intervene & give safeguards to eco-fragile Ladakh.
To draw attention of Govt & the world I plan to sit on a 5 day #ClimateFast from 26 Jan at Khardungla pass at 18000ft -40 °Chttps://t.co/ECi3YlB9kU

— Sonam Wangchuk (@Wangchuk66) January 21, 2023

Ladakh is crucial from a military perspective and contributed to the Kargil and other conflicts. Wangchuk expresses concern regarding the likelihood of corporate expansion in the union territory, which is anticipated to exacerbate the severe resource shortage, such as water. Glaciers may melt as a result of mining and other activities of a similar nature.

In the video, he talks more about the 6th Schedule and protests related to it. In order to ensure overall economic development and decision autonomy, locals have been calling for Ladakh to be included in the 6th Schedule. The issue has also been brought up in Parliament before. 

While the Constitution stipulates that 50% of a region's tribal population must be present for the 6th Schedule to apply, Ladakh has a tribal population of nearly 95%. It was anticipated that Ladakh would soon be included.