Sonam Wangchuk: The activist who went on a hunger strike to save his cold desert home

In an inspiring display of environmental advocacy, Sonam Wangchuk, a renowned climate activist, recently concluded a 16-day-long hunger strike. Located in the majestic, yet fragile ecosystem of the cold desert region in India, this act of peaceful protest underscored Wangchuk's unwavering commitment to preserving his homeland. Wangchuk, an engineer by profession and an educator by calling, has long been celebrated for his innovative approaches to sustainability and education. He is most widely known for founding the Students' Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL) in 1988, aiming to reform the educational system in Ladakh and make it more relatable to Ladakhi culture and environment. But beyond the classrooms and innovative ice stupas (artificial glaciers), Wangchuk has increasingly turned his attention towards the broader environmental vulnerabilities facing Ladakh. Ladakh, a cold desert in the northernmost part of India, is a region of stark beauty and home to a unique ecosystem. However, it is also experiencing the dire consequences of climate change, with glacier melt threatening water sources and erratic weather patterns affecting agriculture. The region's fragile ecosystem is at a tipping point, compounded by an increase in tourist footfall and unchecked infrastructure development, further exacerbating the ecological imbalance. In a bid to draw urgent attention to these issues, Wangchuk embarked on a hunger strike atop a hill overlooking the icy desert landscape. His non-violent resistance was a call to action for preserving Lad