The people of Leh and Kargil want to protect their homeland’s fragile ecology; they also want constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution
On February 15, 2023, a large protest was organised by the leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance in front of Jantar Mantar, Delhi.
The protestors want Ladakh to be a separate state with a set of demands in front of the Centre. This is four years after the repeal of Article 370 when Ladakh as well as Jammu and Kashmir became separate Union Territories.
In the last couple of years, Ladakh has been the location of many developmental projects. These include India’s first geothermal power plant and green hydrogen unit. Seven hydropower projects are also proposed to be built on the Indus river and its tributaries.
These rapid development projects have already challenged the fragile ecosystem of Ladakh. Ladakhis have also demanded their region’s inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
Ladakh has a tribal population of more than 97 per cent, meeting the criteria for Sixth Schedule status. States with Sixth Schedule status can make laws about land, management of forests, irrigation, public health, etc.
Parts of Assam, Mizoram, Tripura and Meghalaya currently have provisions for the administration of tribal areas. The people of Ladakh are hoping to reach a quick resolution regarding the ongoing protests.
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