Ladakh to Launch India’s First High-Altitude Wildlife Safari

LEH/JAMMU, Aug 6: Ladakh is set to introduce India’s first high-altitude wildlife safari after Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena approved an ambitious eco-tourism initiative aimed at promoting sustainable tourism, wildlife conservation and community participation. The decision was taken at the first Governing Body meeting of the newly constituted Snow Leopard and High-Altitude Nature (SHAN) Conservation Society, chaired by the Lieutenant Governor, officials said on Thursday. As part of the initiative, the Forest Department has been directed to introduce guided jeep safaris on snow leopard and birdwatching trails using specially designed open-back vehicles, similar to those operated in national parks such as Kaziranga and Ranthambore. The safaris will be conducted by trained local drivers and guides to ensure minimal disturbance to wildlife while enhancing the visitor experience. Officials said the department has also been asked to identify potential safari routes across Hemis National Park, Changthang and Karakoram Wildlife Sanctuaries, as well as wildlife-rich regions including Nubra, Zanskar, Sham, Kargil and Drass, which are known for snow leopard sightings and diverse birdlife. To strengthen community participation, 20 local youths will be trained in birdwatching, bird identification and wildlife guiding, and equipped with binoculars. Ten dedicated birdwatching hides will also be established at major birding hotspots across the Union Territory. Officials noted that Ladakh is home to India’s largest snow leopard population, with 477 of the country’s estimated 718 snow leopards. The region also supports more than 38 mammal species, around 340 bird species and nearly 1,800 vascular plant species, making it one of India’s most significant biodiversity hotspots. The SHAN Conservation Society, constituted on June 16, has been tasked with preparing a comprehensive roadmap for community-led wildlife conservation, responsible tourism, waste management, plastic-free tourism and sustainable livelihood generation. The initiative aims to create a governance model that enables local communities to become equal stakeholders in protecting Ladakh’s fragile ecosystem while benefiting economically from conservation-based tourism. “Ladakh’s unique wildlife and fragile high-altitude ecosystem are among its greatest natural assets. Conservation can succeed only when local communities become equal partners in protecting nature and also benefit from it,” Saxena said. He added that SHAN would integrate wildlife conservation, responsible eco-tourism, environmental education, community empowerment and sustainable livelihoods to establish Ladakh as a global model for community-led conservation and high-altitude mountain tourism. The Governing Body also approved several conservation and awareness initiatives, including the installation of 300 colour-coded waste bins across 40 villages, procurement of portable waste-segregation carts and the launch of a plastic-free tourism campaign. In addition, SHAN Wildlife Clubs will be established in 50 government schools, each receiving financial assistance of ₹30,000 to organise wildlife excursions. The society will also introduce annual wildlife photography fellowships for 10 local youths. Other approved measures include installing interpretative signages in protected areas to discourage littering, illegal off-roading and wildlife disturbance, training 50 women artisans to produce wildlife-themed souvenirs such as miniature snow leopards and black-necked cranes, and establishing dedicated wildlife souvenir shops across Ladakh. The Lieutenant Governor directed all concerned departments to complete preparations before the upcoming winter snow leopard sighting season.