by Vikalp Sangam General Assembly*
25 Aug, 2025
Download the full statement here.
As constituent organisations of the Vikalp Sangam General Assembly, we are shocked at the Ladakh UT Administration’s move to revoke the land lease of the Himalayan Institute of Alternative Learning (HIAL). Vikalp Sangam is a national forum of about 85 organisations and networks seeking just and sustainable solutions to problems of basic needs, livelihoods, inequality and injustice. We urge the Administration to immediately take back its order, move to resolve whatever legal issues there may be in an amicable manner, and instead support the innovative work that HIAL is doing.
We are aware that Ladakhi people have been demanding Constitutional safeguards, especially recognition under the 6th Schedule, and statehood. As Vikalp Sangam we have supported this, as we feel these are essential conditions for democratic self-governance, to protect the fragile ecological and cultural heritage of Ladakh.
The latest move by the UT Administration, given its timing, appears to be more a move to silence voices such as those of Sonam Wangchuk, founder of HIAL and one of the prominent spokespersons of the movement, rather than simply a step to enforce the rule of law.
We are aware that HIAL has been doing much-needed work in educating and training youth (from Ladakh and elsewhere) in finding solutions to the severe problems that the region faces – ecological destruction, recession of glaciers, lack of livelihood options, decline in agricultural productivity and in pastoralism, growing energy needs, shortage of water, and others. Many of us have visited the HIAL campus and seen some of this innovative work. This is the kind of initiative that both the UT Administration and the Ladakh Hill Council need to support, not try to undermine.
On the larger issues being raised by Ladakh’s people, the Government of India also needs to honour the commitment made by BJP, to provide it with 6th Schedule status, without further delay.
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* The Vikalp Sangam General Assembly (VSGA) is the coordinating mechanism for the Vikalp Sangam process (www.vikalpsangam.org), which aims to network movements, organisations and individuals working on alternatives to unsustainable, iniquitous development. It contains about 85 organisations and networks across India, listed below. The views in this statement are not necessarily endorsed by all listed organisations. Previous statements on Ladakh issued by VSGA are available at: https://vikalpsangam.org/vikalp-sangam-statements/
Contact persons on behalf of the VSGA:
Shrishtee Bajpai ([email protected])
Ashish Kothari ([email protected])
Vikalp Sangam General Assembly Members
Action for Community Organisation, Rehabilitation and Development (ACCORD)
AGRAGAMEE
Alliance for Sustainable and Holistic Agriculture (ASHA)
Alternative Law Forum (ALF)
Amhi Amchya Arogyasathi
Bhoomi College
Blue Ribbon Movement (BRM)
Centre for Education and Documentation (CED)
Centre for Environment Education (CEE)
Centre for Financial Accountability (CFA)
Centre for Pastoralism
Chetna
CGnet Swara
Dakshin Foundation
Deccan Development Society (DDS)
Deer Park
Development Alternatives (DA)
Desert Resource Centre (DRC)
Dhaatri Trust
Dharamitra
Ektha
Equitable Tourism Options (EQUATIONS)
Forest Rights Coalition – JK
Fridays for Future – India
GEN Bharat
Gene Campaign
Goonj
Greenpeace India
Ideosync Media Combine
Inner Climate Academy (ICA)
Margshala Foundation
Jagori Rural
Kagad Kach Patra Kashtakari Panchayat (KKPKP)
Kalpavriksh
Khudai Khidmatgar
Kriti Team
Ladakh Arts and Media Organisation (LAMO)
Let India Breathe (LIB)
Local Futures Ladakh
Maadhyam
Maati
Mahagram Sabha, Korchi
Mahila Kisan Adhikar Manch (MAKAAM)
Mahalir Association for Literacy Awareness and Rights
Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS)
Movement for Advancing Understanding of Sustainability and Mutuality (MAUSAM)
National Alliance of Peoples’ Movements (NAPM)
National Campaign for Dalit Human Rights (NCDHR)
National Coalition for Natural Farming (NCNF)
National Federation of Dalit Women (NFDW)
Nirangal Charitable Trust
Non-timber Forest Products Exchange Programme India (NTFP-EP India)
North East Network (NEN)
Organic Farmers Market (OFM)
People’s Resource Centre (PRC)
Peoples’ Science Institute (PSI)
Pipal Tree
Regenerative Bihar Collective
reStore
Revitalising Rainfed Agriculture Network (RRA)
Rythu Swarajya Vedika
Sambhaavnaa
Foundation for Economic and Ecological Development (FEED)
Sahjeevan
Sahodaya Trust
Sambhaav Trust
Sangat
School for Rural Development and Environment (SRDE)
Shikshantar
Shramik Mukti Dal
Snow Leopard Conservancy India Trust (SLC-IT)
Sikkim Indigenous Lepcha Tribal Association
Social Entrepreneurship Association (SEA)
Society for Promoting Participative Ecosystem Management (SOPPECOM)
South Asian Dialogue on Ecological Democracy (SADED)/ Harit Swaraaj Samvaad
The Himalaya Collective
Titli Trust
TN Women’s Collective
Travellers’ University
Tribal Health Initiative (THI)
URMUL Seemant Samiti
Watershed Support Services and Activities Network (WASSAN)
Women’s Collective
Youth Alliance
Yugma Collective
Yuva Ekta Foundation
Individuals (Dinesh Abrol, Ovais Sultan Khan, Sehjo Singh, Tamara Law, Bablu Ganguly, SP Ravi).
Download the full statement here.
