B'uru residents fast in support of Ladakh activist Wangchuk

Bengaluru, NT Bureau: In support of Sonam Wangchuk's fight for the implementation of the 6th Schedule in Ladakh, more than 100 residents, including members of the Ladakhi community and students, gathered at Freedom Park for a day-long silent fast from 9 am to 5 pm on Sunday, this fast was part of a nationwide effort to raise awareness about the need to protect Ladakh’s natural resources and empower its indigenous population. Climate activist and Scientist, Sonam Wangchuk, has been advocating for the 6th Schedule to be applied to Ladakh, which would allow for greater local governance and the conservation of Ladakh’s fragile ecosystem. In March 2024, Wangchuk undertook a 21-day climate fast in Ladakh to draw attention to the cause.

This was followed by a 1,000-kilometer march from Ladakh to Delhi in September 2024, but the government has yet to address their demands. Wangchuk and his team are currently on an indefinite fast at Ladakh Bhavan in Delhi. Speakers, including eco-activists, highlighted that the Ladakh issue reflects a broader climate crisis that affects everyone. Namratha, the event coordinator, stressed the importance of sustainable living, while advocate K.S. Anil cited a Supreme Court judgment affirming the right to a healthy environment as a fundamental right.