Leh, Aug 24, KNT: The Ladakh administration has cancelled the land allotment made in 2018 to climate activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk’s Himalayan Institute of Alternative Learning (HIAL) at Phyang village in Leh, citing non-utilization of the site for the intended purpose. The decision has stirred strong reactions, with locals alleging that the action comes against the backdrop of Wangchuk’s continued protests seeking constitutional safeguards for Ladakh.
An order issued on August 21 by Deputy Commissioner Leh, Romil Singh Donk, said that the land measuring 1076 kanal and 1 marla, roughly 135 acres, “stands escheated to the State, i.e., LAHDC (Leh Autonomous Hill Development Council)” and directed the Tehsildar Leh to remove encumbrances and update the revenue records. The order noted that the land was originally given to HIAL on lease for 40 years to establish a university. However, no lease agreement was ever executed, no formal handover of the land was carried out, and no university recognized by law has been set up till date.
The administration further maintained that the allotment order automatically lapsed on May 5, 2019, as the condition to execute a lease deed within one year was not fulfilled.
📢 8,000+ readers already joined for instant Kashmir News Trust updates
Locals, however, view the decision in the context of Wangchuk’s recent activism. In October 2024, he launched an indefinite fast in Delhi pressing for inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to safeguard land, culture and jobs. The protest prompted the Ministry of Home Affairs to agree to resume talks with a high-powered committee of Leh and Kargil leaders. Wangchuk also recently joined a hunger strike in Kargil reiterating these demands.
A well-known educationist and climate activist, Wangchuk has been at the forefront of Ladakh’s civil society movement since the region was made a Union Territory in 2019 after the revocation of Article 370. Civil society groups have repeatedly staged demonstrations demanding Statehood, constitutional protection under the Sixth Schedule and employment guarantees.
Wangchuk could not be reached for comment on the latest development. Meanwhile, HIAL’s website states that its vision is to make Ladakh a benchmark of sustainable economic living in the mountain world where every child receives meaningful education rooted in dignity and harmony with nature. [KNT]
