The administration of the Union Territory of Ladakh has issued a formal directive to the 'Desert Flower School', an institution running under the aegis of the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives (HIAL) founded by education reformist Sonam Wangchuk, asking it to immediately halt all classroom and allied activities. The administrative order, served by the Leh Tehsildar office, specifies that the facility must remain non-operational until the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh delivers its final judgment on the ongoing legal dispute. The formal notice was issued on November 1 to Gitanjali J. Angmo, who serves as the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of HIAL.
Commencement of Classes Without Statutory Approvals
According to the official communication from local authorities, the primary ground for the administrative action is that academic operations had commenced without obtaining mandatory clearances from competent government bodies. The administration stated it received credible information indicating that classes and routine educational exercises were being conducted at the Desert Flower School located in the Phyang area of Leh without the required consents, authorisations, and official approvals. The notice specifically highlighted a correspondence dated September 22, wherein Angmo had formally approached authorities seeking a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the proposed members of the school management committee. Despite that regulatory process remaining unresolved, full-scale activities were initiated on the premises.
Ongoing High Court Proceedings and Direction to Maintain Status Quo
Emphasizing the legal boundaries surrounding the institution, the revenue authorities noted that key administrative issues concerning HIAL remain actively sub-judice before the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. In light of these pending legal proceedings, the Tehsildar officially instructed HIAL and its executive leadership to refrain from taking any steps toward operating the school or expanding any on-ground operations until the judicial bench rules conclusively or issues specific instructions. The notice called for strict adherence to the status quo at the site, warning the management against any arbitrary actions that might compromise, influence, or prejudice the subject matter currently under judicial review.
Roots of the Land Allocation Revocation in August 2025
The friction between the regional authorities and the non-profit educational venture stems from an earlier administrative sanction. In August 2025, the Ladakh administration formally canceled the land lease allotment previously sanctioned for HIAL. Aggrieved by the lease cancellation, the institute challenged the government decree by approaching the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, seeking legal relief and reinstatement of its rights. While that overarching legal challenge continues to move through court arguments, the administration maintains that opening fresh units like the Desert Flower School on the disputed territory bypasses procedural norms.
Mounting Discontent Among Local Commercial Stakeholders
Beyond institutional land and legal conflicts, Sonam Wangchuk has concurrently faced pressure from local business groups within Ladakh. In recent days, regional liquor merchants organized a public protest against the social worker, accusing him of adopting contradictory stances on policy matters. The commercial trade representatives argued that his public pronouncements regarding the alcohol business display glaring double standards, adversely impacting the financial and livelihood interests of homegrown merchants operating under statutory licenses across the territory.
