India News | Wangchuk raises concerns over environmental degradation in Himalayan region

Shimla, Sep 25 (PTI) Expressing concern over environmental degradation in the Himalayan region, noted environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk on Wednesday warned that future generations will have to pay a heavy price for the damage caused to the environment by big business and the mining mafia.

Wangchuk, who is walking a ‘padyatra’ (foot march) from Ladakh to Delhi along with 150 other volunteers, interacted with journalists in Nalagarh in Solan district.

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“I am concerned about the situation in Ladakh and the entire Himalayan region as the government is under pressure from big corporates and the mining mafia. The people of Ladakh have started a campaign against the government and the padyatra is part of that campaign,” he said, adding that the yatra has received overwhelming response and support from the people.

Wangchuk said the government has failed to fulfil the promises made during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and there is strong resentment among the people of Ladakh. Also, the demand for statehood for Ladakh is growing louder.

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The yatra was given a warm welcome in Nalagarh. Apart from arranging food, the participants were also medically examined and medicines were distributed.

Wangchuk said the delegation would meet the President, Prime Minister and other ministers in Delhi and plead with them to accept their demands.

He said the delegation would also meet opposition leaders and appeal for acceptance of their demands, including state sovereignty and two Lok Sabha seats for Ladakh.

He added that efforts will be made to meet opposition leaders to apprise them of the situation.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from the syndicated newsfeed. It is possible that LatestLY staff has not altered or edited the content.)