AsiaNet-Pakistan Premier Editorial Content and Press Release Distribution Service
Leh, The ‘Pashmina March,’ an event initially impeded by local authorities, is set to commence tomorrow, April 17, as announced by Ladakh educator and innovator Sonam Wangchuk. The march, organized by the Leh Apex Body (LAB), aims to address the grievances of local shepherds affected by large-scale industrial projects encroaching on pasture lands.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Wangchuk explained that the march would take participants to Skang Chu-Thang near the Himachal Pradesh border, where they will meet with shepherds to discuss the ongoing loss of grazing land. The revised plan will see about 20 people participate in the five-day trek, a significant reduction from the initially planned 10,000, due to concerns from local authorities about potential disturbances near the sensitive border areas.
The Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) have been advocating for Ladakh’s statehood and its inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution for the past four years. These groups are also highlighting the challenges faced by local farmers and shepherds, who find their lands caught between the expansion of industrial sites to the south and alleged encroachments by China to the north.
The initial plan for the ‘Pashmina March,’ scheduled for April 7, was halted when the local government implemented strict measures, including prohibitory orders and reduced internet speeds, fearing potential unrest. Wangchuk stated, “Ladakh is a very sensitive place surrounded by borders, and our announcement of 10,000 people moving to the border might have caused concern to the government over disturbance of peace.”
The march not only seeks to bring attention to the plight of local communities but also aims to foster a dialogue on how to preserve their traditional livelihoods against the backdrop of modern industrial pressures.