Leh, The Leh Apex Body (LAB) is set to initiate a five-day foot march on April 17 to Skang Chu-Thang near the Himachal Pradesh border, aiming to support local shepherds affected by industrial encroachments on pasture land, as announced by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the LAB, in conjunction with the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), has been actively campaigning for the past four years to secure Statehood for Ladakh and inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. The march is part of broader efforts to bring attention to the challenges facing the region, particularly the loss of vital pasture lands to large-scale industrial projects and border tensions.
Sonam Wangchuk emphasized that the primary goal of the march is to convey the distress of Ladakh’s residents to the relevant authorities and urge them to honor their commitments. The initial plan for a border march earlier this month was postponed when authorities implemented restrictive measures, including prohibitory orders and internet speed reductions to 2G, due to concerns about potential disruptions to peace.
Wangchuk clarified that the rescheduled march, set to coincide with the festival of Ram Navami, is intended to proceed without contention, noting that it will occur entirely within Indian territory and should not provoke governmental concerns.