Prominent leaders of Ladakh have made a fervent appeal to the Centre to declare the region a tribal area under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, saying the biggest concern for its people is to protect their land and identity.
Though locals have welcomed the Centre’s decision to revoke Article 370 and make Ladakh a Union territory, they fear the influx of outsiders would lead to a change in the region’s demography, jeopardizing their culture and identity.
In a memorandum to Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda, Ladakh MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal said the region is a predominantly tribal area with tribals making up to 98% of its population.