On June 26, Ladakh’s Wildlife Department levied penalties of ₹50,000 each on four vehicles for violating the Wildlife (Protection) Act, as reported by officials.
The owners of the offending vehicles, from Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh, were penalized after their vehicles were discovered illegally driven into Pangong Lake and other protected wildlife zones in Changthang and Nubra over the past few days.
As stated by an official spokesperson, the imposed fines on the drivers underscore the administration’s dedication to safeguarding Ladakh’s vulnerable ecosystem and endangered species.
Officials noted that incidents of illegal off-roading and stunts have recently surged in Ladakh, describing this action as the first instance of such a severe penalty being enforced in the ecologically sensitive Union Territory.
All four vehicles were confiscated following an investigation and returned only after the fines were settled, according to officials.
The violations were recorded at four locations under the Leh Wildlife Division—Merak and Lukung along the ecologically important shores of Pangong Lake, Nurboo La in Hanle, and Sumur in Nubra Valley.
On June 23, wildlife personnel identified a Mahindra Thar (PB 11DD 7773) being operated off-road near Merak, entering the waters of Pangong Lake. Officials reported that the driver deliberately drove the vehicle into the water for stunt purposes, damaging vital wildlife habitat and polluting the lake. The driver was found initially guilty under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, and the vehicle was subsequently seized.
As of June 21, wildlife authorities acted upon a video showing a Hyundai Creta (UP 81DD 4592) performing off-road driving near Lukung along Pangong Lake within the Changthang Cold Desert Wildlife Sanctuary. The vehicle was intercepted at Zingral, Changla Pass, the same day and confiscated.
On June 20, another social media video depicted a Mahindra Thar (PB-65BL-8698) traversing a stream inside the Karakoram (Nubra-Shayok) Wildlife Sanctuary, harming the habitat and ecological integrity of the conserved area. Following thorough intelligence gathering through local police, the vehicle was intercepted and seized at Kharu on June 21.
Additionally, a viral social media video circulating on June 17 showcased a Toyota Fortuner (HP 37H 7888) being driven off-road near Nurboo La inside the Changthang Cold Desert Wildlife Sanctuary, with the driver reportedly pursuing a Tibetan Gazelle. Wildlife officials conducted an overnight search in collaboration with the police and located the vehicle outside a homestay in Hanle on the morning of June 18.
Officials confirmed that the four violators paid the ₹50,000 penalty each before their vehicles were released.
According to a spokesperson, this action was subsequent to numerous violations identified by wildlife officials during routine patrols and social media monitoring, which were conveyed to the Lieutenant Governor’s Secretariat.
Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena stated that while Ladakh warmly welcomes visitors from across India and beyond, tourists must act responsibly and be environmentally aware. He urged tourists, adventure seekers, and vehicle owners to refrain from entering protected wildlife habitats, emphasizing that such activities disrupt endangered species, damage fragile ecosystems, and harm the integrity of tourist locations.
Saxena pointed out that off-road driving within or near protected areas constitutes a punishable offense under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and cautioned that stringent measures will persist against all offenders.
