Ladakh Orders Sonam Wangchuk’s School to Halt Classes
The Ladakh administration has issued a notice directing the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh (HIAL), co-founded by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, to halt classes and other activities at Desert Flower School in Phyang, Leh. The notice, dated November 1, 2026, cites alleged violations of regulatory requirements and an ongoing legal dispute over land allotted to the institute.
Ladakh Administration Cites Missing School Approvals
The notice was addressed to Dr Gitanjali J Angmo, Wangchuk’s wife and co-founder and CEO of HIAL.
Authorities alleged that classes and other activities had commenced without obtaining the necessary permissions from competent authorities.
The administration referred to Angmo’s September 22 application seeking a no-objection certificate for the school’s proposed managing committee.
Officials directed the institute to maintain the status quo until the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh decides the pending case or issues further directions.
Land Allotment Cancellation Under Legal Challenge
The dispute concerns 1,076 kanals and one marla of land allotted to HIAL in May 2018 for establishing an alternative university focused on sustainable development.
The proposed allotment carried a 40-year lease. However, the administration cancelled it on August 21, 2025, alleging that the institute had failed to complete lease formalities and establish the proposed university.
HIAL challenged the cancellation before the High Court.
In September 2026, the court restrained authorities from creating third-party rights over the disputed property without overturning the cancellation.
Sonam Wangchuk Disputes Administration’s Claims
The administration maintains that HIAL failed to execute the required lease agreement and deposit the prescribed land premium.
Angmo disputes these allegations, asserting that the institute sought execution of the lease deed shortly after the allotment.
Wangchuk has accused authorities of deliberately delaying the process and targeting the institute because of his activism.
The allegations remain contested, with the land dispute awaiting judicial resolution.
