India’s first high-altitude wildlife safari to come up in Ladakh

Ladakh supports more than 38 mammal species, 340 bird species and 1,800 vascular plant species

SRINAGAR: In a bid to prevent illegal off-roading and disturbance to wildlife, Ladakh administration Thursday approved the introduction of India’s first-ever high-altitude wildlife safari on popular snow leopard and bird-watching trails in the Union Territory’s upper reaches.Ladakh is home to India’s largest snow leopard population — 477 of the country’s estimated 718 snow leopards. The UT also supports more than 38 mammal species, 340 bird species and 1,800 vascular plant species, which have drawn significant tourist attention over the years. Under this sustainable eco-friendly tourism initiative, visitors will get a rare, guided opportunity to witness the region’s distinctive flora and fauna, a government spokesperson said.The decision was made in the first governing body meeting of the newly constituted Snow Leopard and High-Altitude Nature (SHAN) Conservation Society, chaired by Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, the spokesperson said. Saxena directed the forest department to introduce guided jeep safaris on the lines of popular national parks like Kaziranga, Ranthambore, and others, using specially designed open-back vehicles driven by trained local drivers and guides. Apart from including areas like Nubra, Zanskar, Sham, Kargil and Drass — known to have sizeable populations of the elusive snow leopard and avian diversity — Saxena told the department to explore possible safari routes across Hemis National Park, Changthang and Karakoram wildlife sanctuaries, the spokesperson said. Govt will appoint 20 local youths and train them in bird-watching, bird identification, and spotting skills.

They will be provided with all necessary equipment.SHAN Society, constituted by Saxena on June 16 this year, seeks to formulate a comprehensive roadmap for community-led wildlife conservation and waste management, and to promote plastic-free tourism, sustainable livelihood generation, and responsible eco-tourism across Ladakh through environmental education and empowerment of local communities.“These efforts aim at conserving Ladakh’s natural heritage so that future generations inherit an ecosystem that is richer, healthier and more resilient. Our vision is to establish Ladakh as a global example of community-led conservation and responsible high-altitude mountain tourism,” Saxena said.