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| UT status good, but Ladakh needs protection: Ladakhi educationist Sonam Wangchuk | | | Early Times Report
Leh, Nov 1: Internationally renowned Ladakhi educationist and environmentalist, Sonam Wangchuk, has expressed concern that there are "no safeguards for fragile ecology" while the region was granted status of a Union Territory after being split from Jammu and Kashmir.
He has asked the Union government to accord Schedule 6 of the Constitution for tribal areas and assure protection of culture and business or the people will be left with "deep scars".
"There was jubilation till 2 months ago when the Union Territory was announced. People were happy. But now there are concerns that there are no safeguards or protection that has been announced by the government. This is very dangerous. Exploitation of resources in such a fragile ecology can leave deep scars for a long time," said Wangchuk.
"Water resource is limited. Hotel industry from outside may buy water but eventually, it will put burden on residents. Land dealers from outside have money and Ladakhis may not be able to compete with that. With challenged resources, safety is important," added the Magsaysay awardee.
"Approximately 95 percent of the population in Ladakh is tribal so this should be a clear case for Schedule 6 to be accorded. People know that Centre only wants to help us and showed this generosity. I think the government means well for Ladakh. However, a delay in such an announcement will lose all goodwill. BJP earned public goodwill but a question is now emerging if priority was people or not. Such delays can develop alienation among Ladakhis," he said.
Ladakh has the Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) for land rights but Wangchuk says that is not enough.
"LAHDC does not have enough powers. They have some power over state land but not village land or private land where land dealers and middlemen are already making deals," he said.
Meanwhile, Former CEC, LHADC and Congress leader Rigzin Spalbar expressed similar concerns.
"Ladakh will be gone in no time with too many tourists and people settling here. The ecology is fragile and hence Schedule 6 must be implemented like how it is the Northeast. We are grateful to PM Modi for taking this historic step. No power could do it but we had also asked for legislature. Ladakh should get legislature and protection for population," said Spalbar. |
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