Ladakh admin directs Sonam Wangchuk-founded school to halt activities pending High Court verdict
The Ladakh administration has ordered the Desert Flower School, founded by Sonam Wangchuk, to halt all activities pending a High Court verdict. The administration claims the school began operations without the necessary clearances, while the matter remains sub judice.
Why it matters
This highlights ongoing administrative and legal tensions regarding educational institutions and environmental activism in the sensitive Ladakh region.
Leh/Jammu The Ladakh administration has directed the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, founded by innovator Sonam Wangchuk, to stop activities at its Desert Flower School pending a final decision by the High Court. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ladakh/ https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/sonam-wangchuk-the-man-from-the-mountains/article66472065.ece The direction was issued through a notice dated Sunday (November 1, 2026) by the tehsildar's office in Leh and was addressed to Gitanjali J. Angmo, co-founder and CEO of HIAL. Ms. Angmo is also Mr. Wangchuk's wife. Also Read: A mountain school and Wangchuk’s experiments with educational reforms https://www.thehindu.com/education/a-mountain-school-and-wangchuks-experiments-with-educational-reforms/article71256703.ece According to the notice, the administration received information that classes and other activities at Desert Flower School Phyang, Leh, had started without obtaining the requisite consent, clearances or approvals from competent authorities.
Also covering this story
One other newsroom covered this event. We read that version too.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in