Renowned environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk’s fast enters 15th day

Kargil, Mar 20: Renowned Ladakh-based environmental activist and Ramon Magsasay award winner Sonam Wangchuk’s “21-day climate fast” over environmental issues concerning the cold desert region entered into 15th day today.

Sonam Wangchuk had started his climate fast on March 6 and is holding in freezing sub-zero temperatures to highlight the region’s vulnerability to climate change, and its link to rights accorded in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution besides demand for restoration of democratic process in Ladakh. On every passing day of his climate fast, hundreds of people gather to join him to express their solidarity and support. Sonam Wangchuk’s climate fast has received support by citizens, politicians, social-environmental activists from different parts of the country.

Earlier, Wangchuk had announced to go on fast in protest against the failure of talks between government and Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) leaders, who are seeking full statehood for Ladakh and constitutional safeguards under Sixth Schedule for the union territory. His emphatic call for the implementation of the Sixth Schedule and restoration of democratic process in Ladakh has raised the pitch of the ongoing protests, which so far have been led by organisations like the LAB and the KDA. Wangchuk earlier last year had held similar climate fast to press for the region’s environmental safeguards and democratic rights for Ladakh.

On the start of day 15 of his “climate fast,” Wangchuk posted on social media platform X, “I’m still fine surviving on just water & salts. Along with me, 125 people slept hungry outdoors under clear skies. The temperature is 11 °C. Let’s understand that saving Ladakh’s glaciers is not just a concern for the people of Ladakh alone. Find out how it concerns all of us...”

Sonam Wangchuk alleges that the Centre, after a delay of four years, has straightaway declined to fulfill the promises. “After four years of dilly dallying tactics, the Centre, finally on March 4, straightaway declined to fulfill the promises. This is a total breach of trust and faith in leaders, governments and elections and if this continues it will set a very bad precedent for all elections and governments to come,” Wangchuk said.