Sonam Wangchuk Begins 5-Day ‘Climate Fast’ To Save Ladakh's Melting Glaciers

Sonam Wangchuk stressed his demands which include bringing Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule and for the Centre to invite the Union Territory's leaders for other demands they wish to raise.

New Delhi: Ladakhi icon and educational reformer Sonam Wangchuk on Thursday began a five-day fast in protest of Ladakh's climate issues. On the occasion of Republic Day, he began a five-day "Climate Fast" at the Himalayan Institute of Alternative Ladakh (HIAL). Previously, he announced the protest saying that he will urge the Indian government for constitutional protection for the ecologically fragile Ladakh glaciers.

"ROADS TO #KHARDUNGLA BLOCKED...😥 So, for now I've started my #ClimateFast from our Alternative Institute #HIAL itself But wherever it is it'll be under the stars -40C or -20 C, in solidarity with our #MeltingGlaciers You wanna try a 1 day fast from home today or tomorrow!" the reformer tweeted sharing a notification by the Ladakh Traffic Police.

In his last update on Wednesday, he pointed out the bad weather which was predicted to improve on Thursday. He said people in Ladakh have not only welcomed the announcement of his fast but also said they would participate in it by observing the fast in their respective places of worship.

"The UT (Union Territory) administration seems nervous. We sought permission for the fast, but we are yet to receive their consent. It appears they do not want to bring limelight to their delays. Lawyers tell me I have the right to peaceful assembly. I hope they do not cause any hindrance tomorrow," Wangchuk said.

"We want to awaken the government and the people of India and the world about our lifestyle which is contributing to pollution and emissions. We are courting animosity with the environment," the Ladakhi icon emphasised.

He stressed his demands which include bringing Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule and for the Centre to invite the Union Territory's leaders for other demands they wish to raise.

'All Is Not Well In Ladakh'

In a prior video titled 'All is not well in Ladakh', he appealed to the prime minister to intervene and safeguard the fragile ecosystem under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

“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.” 

"While the Constitution stipulates that 50 per cent of a region's tribal population must be present for the sixth Schedule to apply, Ladakh has a tribal population of nearly 95 per cent. People believed that Ladakh will get included in the sixth schedule," he mentioned.

Wangchuk spoke about the protests in Ladakh with respect to the demand and further mentioned that the BJP has not fulfilled its own manifesto assurance where the assurance about the sixth schedule featured prominently.

Wangchuk expressed 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, he said.