SRINAGAR: Educationist Sonam Wangchuk on Tuesday accused the Ladakh Administration of targeting his educational initiatives after authorities directed Desert Flower School to halt its activities over pending approvals and a land dispute.
Addressing a press conference, Wangchuk and his wife Gitanjali J. Angmo, termed the notice baseless and alleged that the administration itself was responsible for delays in granting approvals despite multiple representations since September.
They said the dispute relates to a pending lease deed for land allotted to Hayal, claiming the process remains incomplete because the UT administration has not finalised its lease policy.
According to them, authorities had earlier allowed construction to continue and issued the required no-objection certificate, enabling donors and public sector entities to support the project.
Angmo said nearly 2.5 lakh square feet of passive solar-heated infrastructure has been created at the site. She also cited a September 11 order of the High Court restraining the administration from creating third-party rights over the land until the matter is decided.
On school permissions, she alleged that differences between the education department and district administration over procedural requirements delayed approval despite repeated communications. She claimed the suspension notice was issued a day before the school began functioning.
Calling the action a “witch hunt”, Wangchuk linked it to his criticism of the administration’s policies on issues such as tourism, land and development. He urged the administration to facilitate educational institutions rather than create hurdles.
The founders said 46 children have enrolled in the kindergarten section and that several parents had been waiting nearly two years for the school to become operational.
They described Desert Flower School as part of Hayal’s proposed School of Experiential Education, a not-for-profit initiative that plans to establish multiple institutions focused on areas including ecology, architecture, tourism and energy studies.
The founders said the school would continue functioning unless directed otherwise by a competent court, adding that they would abide by any final judicial decision in the matter—(KNO)
