Leh, In response to the recent allocation of vast tracts of pasture land to industrialists for solar projects, the Leh Apex Body (LAB) announced plans for a foot march to the Changthang region near the Chinese border. This protest aims to highlight the impact of such developments on local farmers in the Ladakh region of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the announcement was made by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk during a press conference in Leh. While the specific dates for the march have not been set, the event is intended to occur soon, featuring a small group of 10 to 20 leaders from the ongoing agitation. These representatives will travel from village to village to demonstrate the extent of land loss experienced by local communities.

The LAB, in collaboration with the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), has been leading a movement for the past four years, advocating for statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution to provide regional protections. Wangchuk emphasized the march’s goal to raise awareness both within Ladakh and externally about the significant challenges faced by locals due to the absence of such protections.

Further, Wangchuk outlined additional plans to sustain the movement through chain hunger strikes and protests, which will be conducted in a manner that does not disrupt the emerging farming and tourism activities in the region.