Leh, Nov 3 (KNS): The Union Territory administration of Ladakh has directed the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives (HIAL) to stop the functioning and activities of its Desert Flower School in Leh, citing the absence of requisite approvals and a pending land allotment dispute before the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
In a notice issued on November 1, Tehsildar Leh directed Dr Gitanjali J Angmo, Founder and CEO of HIAL, to maintain strict status quo and refrain from commencing classes or undertaking any other activities at the school until a final decision by the High Court or further directions are issued.
The administration took note of reports that Desert Flower School, operating under the HIAL ecosystem, had commenced functioning without obtaining the necessary consent, clearances and approvals from the competent authorities.
According to the notice, Angmo had approached the Deputy Commissioner, Leh, through a letter dated September 22, 2026, seeking an NOC/clearance for the proposed members of the Managing Committee of Desert Flower School at Phyang.
However, the administration said it had come to its notice that the school had started functioning without obtaining the requisite approval from the concerned authorities.
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It further observed that the matter concerning land allotment to HIAL was already pending adjudication before the High Court and cautioned that any activity at the school could prejudice the ongoing legal proceedings.
The administration has advised HIAL to refrain from taking any steps towards the functioning or commencement of activities at the school until the matter is finally decided by the High Court or further directions are issued.
Notably, the UT administration had cancelled the land allotment to HIAL in August 2025. Challenging the decision, the institute subsequently filed a writ petition before the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, which is currently pending adjudication.
The latest notice comes amid the ongoing legal dispute over the land allotment and places an administrative restraint on the school's proposed activities. (KNS)
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