New Delhi: Celebrated innovator Sonam Wangchuk began his seven-day hunger strike in Leh in support of his campaign for the protection of the fragile environment of Ladakh. His ‘climatic fast’, the second in last six months, comes a day ahead of talks between the Ministry of Home Affairs and a six-member joint delegation of Leh-based Apex body and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) who are seeking full statehood, constitutional safeguards under sixth schedule, separate Lok Sabha seats for the two districts and recruitment and job reservation for the youth of Ladakh.
“We have dedicated the first day of the climatic fast for the success of the talks between the central government and our leaders,” Wangchuk said. “Ladakh is a sensitive and crucial region with regard to both the environment as well as the presence of China and Pakistan across its borders. We want a solution to our issues peacefully without any disturbance or agitation,” he added.
Wangchuk said several people across Ladakh are observing fast and holding prayers.
Hoping that the talks would be beneficial for them, the education reformist said Ladakh has witnessed large-scale development after getting the Union Territory status in 2019 but lost “the safeguards for its environment, land, culture and democratic rights."
“My appeal to the people is to live simply in the big cities so that we in the mountains may simply survive. My fast is like an alarm bell to the world as we have to make necessary changes to reverse global warming which is impacting our mountains and glaciers, threatening the lives of the people and the animals,” he said.
Earlier in January, Wangchuk had staged a four-day climate protest to invite the BJP-led Centre’s attention over the demands of the people of Ladakh. He had announced a hunger strike at the 18,380 feet high Khardung La from January 26.