Ladakh administration asks Sonam Wangchuk-founded institute to halt school activities pending HC decision

Srinagar: The Ladakh administration has directed the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, founded by innovator and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, to stop activities at its Desert Flower School pending a final decision from the high court.

The tehsildar's office in Leh issued the direction to Gitanjali J Angmo, cofounder and chief executive of the institute, in a notice dated November 1. Angmo is Wangchuk's wife.

According to the notice, the administration received information that classes and other activities at Desert Flower School Phyang, Leh, started without obtaining the requisite consent, clearances or approvals from competent authorities. It also referred to a communication dated September 22 through which Angmo had sought a 'no objection certificate' for proposed members of the school's managing committee.


The school operates within the ecosystem of the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh (HIAL).

The administration said a matter concerning HIAL was currently pending before the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

In view of the pending judicial proceedings, the tehsildar advised HIAL and Angmo to not undertake any further action concerning the functioning or commencement of activities at the school until the matter is finally decided by the high court or further directions are issued, the notice said.

Last month, in response to similar notices from the Ladakh administration, Angmo said HIAL had spent years trying to build an educational institution that addresses the real challenges of the Himalayas. "Instead of enabling such work, the administration appears determined to bury it beneath paperwork, contradictions and public accusations," she posted on X. The administration has failed to put a lease policy in place and repeatedly acknowledged that failure in writing, and then pretends that the institution waiting for your policy is the culprit, she alleged.

"Before maligning HIAL, the Ladakh administration should answer one question: Why did you repeatedly tell us the lease could not be executed because your policy was not ready," Angmo wrote on X.