Sonam Wangchuk disputes cancellation of HIAL land lease in Ladakh

Climate activist and education reformist Sonam Wangchuk has challenged the Ladakh administration's decision to cancel the land allotment for the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh (HIAL). Wangchuk alleges that the cancellation is the result of administrative delays, citing five written appeals, 15 visits, and 30 phone calls made to authorities to execute the lease deed.

In a recent affidavit filed in the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, the administration defended the cancellation, stating the 40-year lease for land at Phyang Thang had “lapsed by operation of law” on May 5, 2019. The administration claims the allotment lapsed because HIAL failed to execute the deed or deposit mandatory land premiums within the required one-year period, citing a disregard for the law.

Wangchuk has countered these claims by sharing official communications, including a letter from February 2021, to support his assertion that the administration was responsible for the delays. He expressed concern that the government is targeting him and his institute following his previous criticisms of injustices in the region.