Engineer
Sonam Wangchuk
Engineer, Educator & Climate Activist · Ladakh
The Story
Sonam Wangchuk is an Indian engineer, innovator, and climate activist who founded SECMOL (1988) and HIAL in Ladakh. He designed passive solar earthen buildings that maintain +15°C indoors during -30°C Himalayan winters, invented Ice Stupas to solve spring drought for mountain farmers, and led peaceful climate fasts and marches demanding constitutional protection under the 6th Schedule.
Impact
Pioneered Ice Stupa artificial glaciers, passive solar eco-campuses (SECMOL), and led climate fasts for 6th Schedule constitutional safeguards
Evidence
Ramon Magsaysay Award 2018, Rolex Award for Enterprise, 150,000+ L water stored per Ice Stupa
Replication
Ice Stupa technique & passive solar mud buildings adopted across Swiss Alps and Himalayan regions