Authorities in the Union territory of Ladakh have directed the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives (HIAL), a project established by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, to cease all operations and the commencement of classes at its school premises in Leh. The directive, issued by the local tehsildar, comes as a long-standing legal conflict over land allotment remains before the high court.
The notice was formally addressed to Gitanjali J. Angmo, who serves as the CEO and official founder of HIAL, and is also the wife of Sonam Wangchuk. Officials stated that the move to initiate school activities without obtaining the necessary regulatory clearances and official approvals could potentially prejudice the ongoing judicial proceedings regarding the land currently occupied by the institution.
A government spokesperson confirmed the development, noting that the administration has taken a serious view of the reported attempts to begin the academic session at the Desert Flower School. The official statement emphasized that the institution must adhere to a strict status quo and refrain from any actions toward the functioning of the school until a final decision is delivered by the high court. Sources familiar with the matter indicated that the school had been preparing to launch a new academic session and had previously sought a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the authorities, which remains pending.
In response to the notice, Gitanjali J. Angmo dismissed the administrative claims as baseless. She maintained that the institution has already provided a formal response to the authorities and further alleged that the local government is responsible for the ongoing delays in granting the required clearances for the school to function.
The current impasse is rooted in a decision taken by the Ladakh administration in August 2025, which saw the cancellation of the land allotment previously granted to HIAL. The institute subsequently challenged this cancellation in the high court. Legal developments escalated last month when the local administration filed an affidavit in the high court, formally accusing HIAL of occupying the land without fulfilling necessary payment obligations.
Beyond the immediate land dispute, the government’s recent affidavit also referenced broader social and political tensions. The document alleged that Sonam Wangchuk played a role in inciting violence in Leh in September of last year. That incident, which occurred during protests demanding statehood and the implementation of the Sixth Schedule for Ladakh, resulted in four fatalities and left scores of individuals injured following reported police intervention.
Sonam Wangchuk remains a prominent figure in the region, serving as a member of the Leh Apex Body (LAB). This organization has been at the forefront of negotiations with the central government, advocating for increased autonomy, the protection of local interests under the Sixth Schedule, and the granting of full statehood to Ladakh. The legal battle over the HIAL land is being closely watched as it unfolds against the backdrop of these ongoing political demands in the union territory.
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