In a bid to protect Ladakh’s indigenous culture, fragile ecology, and its people, the ‘Delhi Chalo Padyatra’ is underway with around 75 dedicated volunteers walking on foot across some of the most challenging terrains in the country.
Their objective is to urge the central government to resume talks with Ladakhi representatives on a ‘four-point agenda’ that addresses the region’s urgent needs. The march, which started in Leh, aims to reach Delhi by October 2, 2024, as volunteers and supporters rally behind this cause.
Sonam Wangchuk’s Appeal to the Prime Minister
On September 9, 2024, renowned environmentalist and social reformer Sonam Wangchuk took to social media and other platforms to make a direct appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Wangchuk’s request to the central government revolves around a crucial demand: to include Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
This inclusion would grant Ladakh autonomy in law-making, empowering its people to protect their culture, safeguard its delicate environment, and retain ownership over their land.
Wangchuk emphasized that Ladakh’s unique identity and environmental concerns must be preserved through such legal provisions. “This is not just about the people of Ladakh, but about protecting one of the most ecologically sensitive regions in the world,” Wangchuk remarked. “With the constitutional safeguards of the Sixth Schedule, Ladakhis will be better equipped to manage their natural resources, enforce land protection laws, and ensure the preservation of their traditions.”
The plea was made amidst a larger push for attention toward Ladakh’s challenges, which have been aggravated by the region’s changing political status after the bifurcation from Jammu and Kashmir in 2019.
Since then, local leaders and activists have been demanding greater autonomy and constitutional protections to prevent exploitation and preserve Ladakh’s unique cultural and environmental identity.
No Response to the Memorandum
In an impromptu press conference held on the move, Wangchuk expressed disappointment over the government’s silence on the memorandum submitted during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Dras in July 2024.
The memorandum laid out a clear four-point agenda addressing the immediate concerns of Ladakh’s people. However, despite its submission over two months ago, the memorandum has not received any formal response from the central government.
“The government’s lack of response is frustrating,” Wangchuk stated. “We submitted our memorandum during a time of national pride, during the 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas, but it seems that the concerns of Ladakh have not been prioritized.”
Wangchuk and other Ladakhi activists have long argued that the region’s unique geographic and cultural context demands a tailored approach to governance. The inclusion in the Sixth Schedule is viewed as a way to offer long-term solutions, ensuring that Ladakhis themselves have the authority to craft laws suited to their region’s specific needs.
Ladakh’s Fragile Ecology Under Threat
The timing of the ‘Delhi Chalo Padyatra’ coincides with the growing ecological crisis in Ladakh. The region, known for its stark beauty and high-altitude environment, is facing the brunt of climate change.
Ladakh is particularly vulnerable to rising temperatures and shifting weather patterns, which have led to a series of alarming environmental changes, including the rapid melting of glaciers, flash floods, and alternating periods of severe drought.
The Himalayan glaciers, which serve as Ladakh’s primary water source, are receding at an unprecedented rate, threatening the livelihoods of local communities. Flash floods have devastated homes, farms, and infrastructure, while drought conditions strain the already scarce water resources.
Wangchuk has often raised alarms about Ladakh’s environmental fragility, warning that if immediate action is not taken, the region could face irreversible damage.
“If we do not act now, Ladakh’s ecology will collapse,” Wangchuk said. “We have already witnessed the devastating effects of climate change on our glaciers. These are the water towers of the region, and without them, there will be no Ladakh as we know it.”
The ‘Delhi Chalo Padyatra’ has not only highlighted these environmental concerns but has also drawn attention to the urgent need for legal protections that would enable Ladakhis to manage their own natural resources and implement policies aimed at ecological sustainability.
A Call for National Support
Wangchuk’s call for including Ladakh in the Sixth Schedule has resonated beyond the region, with environmentalists, academics, and concerned citizens lending their support to the movement. He has urged people across India to amplify the voices of Ladakhis and ensure that their demands reach the highest echelons of government.
“Please continue sharing this petition, as far and wide as you can,” Wangchuk urged in his address. “The ‘Save Ladakh Movement’ must reach every corner of the country. Together, we can ensure that Ladakh and its people are protected for generations to come.”
As the volunteers march toward the nation’s capital, they are hopeful that their message will be heard. Their journey symbolizes the resilience and determination of a community fighting to safeguard its future.
The October 2, 2024 deadline holds great significance for the movement, not only because it coincides with Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday, a day celebrated for peaceful resistance and civil rights, but also because it symbolizes the urgency of their cause.
The ‘Delhi Chalo Padyatra’ continues, and the nation watches closely as these volunteers, led by Wangchuk, make their way toward Delhi, carrying with them the hopes and dreams of an entire region. Whether the government responds remains to be seen, but for Ladakh’s people, the fight is far from over.
