‘People for Himalaya’ coalition condemns the arrest of noted environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk and demands his immediate release
NEW DELHI – A coalition of climate and rights groups under the ‘People for Himalaya’ banner on Monday strongly condemned the recent violence in Ladakh and the arrest of noted environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act (NSA) and demanded his immediate release. The group also extended solidarity with the ongoing Ladakh movement and called for urgent action on disaster prevention in the Himalayan region.
The group held a press conference at the Press Club of India in the national capital. It was addressed by Sajjad Kargili, Kargil Democratic Alliance, Ladakh Atul Sati, Joshimath Bachao Sangharsh Samiti, Uttarakhand Manshi Asher, Himdhara Collective Anmol Ohri, Climate Front Jammu
They termed the arrest of Wangchuk as an attack on democratic rights and freedom of dissent, and demanded his immediate release and withdrawal of all charges against him.
Describing the move as a “draconian misuse of power,” campaign representatives called Wangchuk’s arrest a direct attack on democratic rights and the freedom to dissent, especially targeting those who have been raising legitimate concerns about Ladakh’s environment, livelihoods, and constitutional safeguards.
They also decried the police firing on peaceful protestors in Leh on September 24, which left four people dead and over 80 injured, including 15 critically.
“This is a brutal crackdown on unarmed citizens raising legitimate concerns about their rights, livelihoods, and environment,” they added.
Calling the use of lethal force on unarmed civilians an “act of brutality”, the activists demanded a high-level judicial probe into the incident, along with the resignation of Ladakh’s Lieutenant Governor and Director General of Police.
The activists also voiced support for the four-point agenda of Ladakh’s movement, led by the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance, which includes demands for statehood and constitutional protections under the Sixth Schedule.
Linking the events in Ladakh to broader ecological issues, People for Himalaya highlighted the increasing vulnerability of the Himalayan region in the wake of recent floods and landslides across states like Uttarakhand, Himachal, Jammu & Kashmir, Sikkim, and Ladakh during the 2025 monsoons.
They argued that these disasters are not just natural, but the result of “reckless development” — including unregulated tourism, infrastructure expansion, and deforestation — compounded by poor governance.
“The monsoons this year should be a wake-up call,” the group warned, pointing to warnings long raised by scientists and communities that have gone unheeded by policymakers.
On the environment front, they called for immediate reforms in environmental governance, including a stronger disaster response and fair rehabilitation under the Disaster Management Act (2005); strict enforcement of the Dam Safety Act (2022) and scrapping amendments to the Forest Conservation Act (2023).
They also said in the name of development mega-projects such as large dams and railway corridors in ecologically fragile zones should be halted and strengthened. The meeting also called for strengthening the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process to ensure community participation.
People for Himalaya, formed after the 2024 disasters in Himachal Pradesh, Joshimath, and Sikkim, vowed to continue building awareness and supporting resistance movements across the mountain states.
Beyond the immediate situation in Ladakh, People for Himalaya used the platform to draw attention to the escalating climate crisis across the Himalayan region, underscoring how environmental vulnerabilities are being worsened by poor governance and unsustainable development.
The 2025 monsoon season brought a fresh wave of devastation to the mountains, with floods and landslides reported from Uttarkashi, Mandi, Kishtwar, Joshimath, Dharali, Siang, Ladakh, and Sikkim. The group emphasised that these cannot be treated merely as natural calamities; they are the compounded result of climate change and flawed development models.
“These disasters are no longer warnings. They are consequences — of ignored scientific advice, sidelined local voices, and policies that prioritize profit over people and ecosystems,” said Manshi Asher from Himdhara Collective.
Citing examples like the Char Dham highway project, the group criticised the dilution of environmental safeguards, such as the weakening of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) norms, and exemptions for infrastructure projects in ecologically sensitive zones. These, the campaign said, have directly contributed to increasing the frequency and intensity of disasters in the region.
