New Delhi: Ladakh climate activist Sonam Wangchuk who is in a 21-day fast in Leh has said that 10,000 Ladakhis will march to draw attention to the two issues of Chinese intrusion in the area and the alleged takeover of land by corporates.
Wangchuk is on day 15 of his fast, which he has noted, could be extended till his death.
In addition to putting the Ladakh movement for special status under the Sixth Schedule of the constitution and the statehood of the Union Territory in focus, Wangchuk is primarily highlighting climate issues through his fast.
The Telegraph has reported that Wangchuk is aiming to march to the China border on March 27, when the 21-day period of his fast will end. It could be delayed if he falls ill.
The report quoted Wangchuk as having said that Ladakh was losing prime pastureland to Indian industrialists and the Chinese army.
“If we go to the Changthang plains on the border of Tibet or China, you will see how much land the nomadic tribes that are famous for producing pashmina fibre are losing. On one hand, they are losing land to Indian corporates who are going there to set up their plants, industry, may be mining in future. There is already a huge 13 gigawatt solar plant and they are losing roughly 1,50,000 square kilometre of prime pastureland to it,” he said to the paper.
The journey to the border will be under the leadership of nomadic leaders and aims to show people footage of how much land meant for pasturing has been taken over.
“On the other hand, they are losing land to the Chinese army, which is encroaching from the north,” he added.
Wangchuk said BJP leader Subramanian Swamy had said that 4,056 kilometres of land has been lost in just a few years,” Wangchuk added.
Citing the fact that security forces may stop the march, Wangchuk added that it will be a proof in itself that “there are a lot of things to be covered up.”
