Sonam Wangchuk

Sonam Wangchuk is an Indian engineer, educator, innovator and climate activist from Ladakh, born on 1 September 1966 near Alchi in Leh district. He founded the Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL) in 1988 and, with Gitanjali J Angmo, the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives Ladakh (HIAL). He developed the Ice Stupa, an artificial glacier that stores winter water for spring planting, and received the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2018 for reforming learning for Ladakhi youth.

In March 2024 he began a fast seeking constitutional safeguards and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh. He was detained at the Singhu border on 30 September 2024 during a march to Delhi and released on 2 October 2024. After a protest in Leh turned violent on 24 September 2025, he was detained under the National Security Act on 26 September 2025. The Home Ministry revoked that detention and he was released on 14 March 2026.

Wangchuk is in the news because Ladakh Police removed him from a protest site in Leh on 11 November 2026 and escorted him to his residence, citing prohibitory orders issued for the election process. He and the Leh Apex Body want the 4 December hill council election deferred because of winter and seasonal migration.

Sources: Wikipedia: Sonam Wangchuk, Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation: Wangchuk, Sonam