Ladakh plan for snow leopard safaris draws conservationist warnings

The Story in Brief

Ladakh has approved India's first high-altitude wildlife safari, targeting snow leopard and bird-watching trails in Hemis national park, Changthang and Karakoram wildlife sanctuaries, besides Nubra, Zanskar, Sham, Kargil and Drass. The Ladakh government says Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena directed the forest department to introduce guided safaris with specially designed open-back vehicles and trained local drivers, aiming to prevent illegal off-roading and disturbance.

But conservationists have raised alarms. Dr MK Ranjitsinh, emeritus member of Wildlife Trust of India, warned that Ladakh's fragile high-altitude ecosystem cannot be compared to Kaziranga or Ranthambore. He said vehicles visible from miles away could disturb wildlife, and tourism lobbies could push for more roads and infrastructure. An unidentified wildlife official told the Times of India that the plan may effectively "regularise and commercialise off-roading". Ladakh is home to 477 of India's estimated 718 snow leopards.