Sonam Wangchuk: Prominent Ladakhi activist continues ‘climate fast’ to safeguard Himalayas
Innovator, education reformist and activist Sonam Wangchuk is on a fast-unto-death to lure the attention of decision-makers to “save climate”. His life inspired the character of Phunsukh Wangdu, played by Indian actor Aamir Khan in 2009 Bollywood blockbuster ‘3 Idiots’.
Wangchuk started a fast on March 6 to highlight the pressing climate change issues in the Indian Himalayas, especially in the Union Territory of Ladakh. He and other locals have been protesting at the NDS stadium in Leh, facing notoriously low temperatures.
The fragile Himalayas and the scores of people living in the high altitudes have been noting substantial changes in the environment. The raging climate crisis has been elevating temperatures to unprecedented levels, putting the lives of residents in great danger.
Enact Sixth Schedule and grant Ladakh sovereignty
Climate change has turned into one of the greatest risks to humanity. The EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service recently confirmed last month as the hottest February ever, and had earlier raised concerns over a hottest January and hottest year on record (2023).
It has been reported that the Ladakhi activist will continue his fast in phases until the Centre accepts the demand to implement the Sixth Schedule and grant full statehood to Ladakh. The Schedule contains provisions regarding the administration of tribal areas.
Inclusion under the Sixth Schedule is expected to let Ladakh create elected bodies holding power to administrate tribal areas. This involves the power to make laws on subjects such as forest management, agriculture, inheritance, marriage, divorce and social customs.
Ladakhi activist urges people to “live simpler lives”
Before starting his ‘climate fast’, Sonam Wangchuk reminded the ruling BJP party of its 2019 poll promise and said it assured that the region would be brought under the Schedule as 97% of the population of Ladakh is indigenous tribal.
“When it became a Union Territory in 2019, the issue before the people was how can we now safeguard these mountains from business sharks, mining lobbies and industrial lobbies. Luckily, the Government of India and the BJP stepped in,” he noted as per CNBC.
Highlighting the recent substantial spike in temperature in the region, the activist noted: “Our demand for safeguard of the fragile Himalayas and its indigenous people is not just from the government but also from the citizens living in big cities of the world.”
