By 
Leh, November 3: The UT Administration of Ladakh has directed the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives (HIAL) to immediately stop the functioning and all activities of its Desert Flower School at Phyang, Leh, citing the absence of necessary approvals and the pending land allotment dispute before the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
In a notice issued by Tehsildar Leh on November 1, the administration directed Dr. Gitanjali J. Angmo, Founder and CEO of HIAL, to refrain from proceeding with the commencement of classes or undertaking any other activities at the school, stating that such actions could prejudice the proceedings pending before the High Court.
The notice took serious note of the reported commencement of school activities without obtaining the requisite consent, clearances and approvals from the competent authorities. It stated that the matter concerning HIAL is already pending adjudication before the High Court and advised the organisation to maintain strict status quo.
According to the notice, Dr. Angmo had written to the Deputy Commissioner, Leh, on September 22, 2026, seeking an NOC/clearance for the proposed members of the Managing Committee of Desert Flower School, Phyang, under the HIAL ecosystem. However, the administration observed that the school had commenced functioning without obtaining the necessary approvals from the concerned authorities.
The administration has cautioned HIAL against taking any action that could prejudice the ongoing court proceedings and directed it not to undertake any activity towards the functioning or commencement of the school until the High Court delivers its final decision or issues further directions.
Notably, the UT Administration cancelled the land allotment to HIAL in August 2025. Subsequently, HIAL approached the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh through a writ petition challenging the matter, which is currently pending adjudication.
The latest notice places an administrative restraint on the school’s activities until the legal proceedings are decided or further directions are issued by the court.
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