Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk arrives to a warm welcome in Lahaul-Spiti

Renowned climate activist and educator Sonam Wangchuk, along with 75 volunteers, was warmly welcomed in Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh on Saturday. He is on a foot march from Ladakh to Delhi. The march, which began on September 1, is aimed at compelling the Central Government to fulfil its promise of including Ladakh in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

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Showing blisters on his feet from the arduous journey, Wangchuk remarked, "Jin honthon pe hansi, panvon mein chhale honge, han vahi log tere chahne vale honge," reflecting the physical toll of the march and his dedication to the cause.

Lahaul-Spiti MLA Anuradha Rana, along with local residents, joined Wangchuk's protest to express solidarity with Ladakh’s demands. The residents of Lahaul and Spiti have shown support for the inclusion of Ladakh in the Sixth Schedule, highlighting the broader regional backing for Wangchuk's cause.

Wangchuk's march is scheduled to reach Delhi by October 2, Gandhi Jayanti, where he plans to remind Prime Minister Narendra Modi of his earlier promises and press for immediate action. This initiative follows a recent 21-day hunger strike by Wangchuk and other activists, aimed at securing full statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh.

The Sixth Schedule allows for special provisions and self-governance for certain regions, and Wangchuk's march seeks to secure this status for Ladakh to protect its unique environment and cultural heritage from unchecked industrialisation.

Wangchuk has voiced concerns about the detrimental effects of global warming and industrial projects on the Himalayan glaciers, which are vital to the region's ecosystem and the well-being of nearly two billion people globally.

Wangchuk criticised the central government for failing to act on its promise made during the 2019 parliamentary elections and reiterated in the 2020 Leh Hill Council elections. He emphasised the urgent need for action to safeguard the Himalayan region from further environmental degradation and to respect the commitments made to the public.