The Ladakh administration has directed Desert Flower School in Leh to halt the commencement of classes and other activities until the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh delivers its decision in a pending land allotment case involving the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives (HIAL).
A notice issued to Gitanjali J Angmo, wife of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and founder and CEO of HIAL, asked her to refrain from starting school activities without the required approvals and clearances from the concerned authorities.
According to the administration, Angmo had written to the Deputy Commissioner of Leh on September 22, 2026, seeking a no-objection certificate and clearance for the proposed members of the managing committee of Desert Flower School in Phyang. However, officials said the school had started functioning without obtaining the necessary permissions.
The administration stated that allowing the activities to continue could affect the proceedings pending before the High Court. Sonam Wangchuk is also a member of the school's board of directors.
The dispute dates back to August 2025, when the Union Territory administration cancelled the land allotment to HIAL. The institute subsequently filed a writ petition before the High Court, where the matter remains pending.
Issued by the Tehsildar of Leh on November 1, 2026, the notice advised HIAL to maintain strict status quo and refrain from taking any steps towards the school's functioning until the court delivers its final decision or issues further directions.
The administration said the notice places an administrative restraint on the proposed activities of Desert Flower School amid the ongoing legal proceedings.
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