The decision was made during the first governing body meeting for the newly established snow leopard and high-altitude nature (SHAN) conservation society, headed by the LG, as stated by officials.
As part of this initiative, the forest department has been tasked with implementing guided jeep safaris reminiscent of those in renowned national parks like Kaziranga and Ranthambore. The safaris will utilize specially designed open-back vehicles operated by trained local drivers and guides, according to reports.
This strategy seeks to prevent illegal off-roading and reduce disturbances to wildlife while improving visitor experiences through regulated and eco-friendly tourism practices, they noted.
The forest department is also required to pinpoint potential safari routes within Hemis national park, Changthang, and Karakoram wildlife sanctuaries, as well as wildlife-abundant regions such as Nubra, Zanskar, Sham, Kargil, and Drass, which are renowned for their snow leopard populations and diverse birdlife.
As part of the program, 20 local youths will be chosen and trained in birdwatching, bird identification, and spotting skills, and they will be provided with binoculars. Additionally, ten birdwatching hides are to be set up at key hotspots, they reported.
Officials indicated that Ladakh is home to the largest population of snow leopards in India, housing 477 of the estimated 718 snow leopards nationwide.
Ladakh also supports over 38 species of mammals, about 340 species of birds, and nearly 1,800 species of vascular plants, making it one of the country’s premier biodiversity hotspots.
The SHAN society, formed on June 16, has been assigned the task of developing a detailed roadmap for community-driven wildlife conservation, waste management, plastic-free tourism, sustainable livelihoods, and responsible tourism throughout Ladakh.
The initiative envisions a governance framework where local communities are active participants in safeguarding Ladakh’s delicate ecosystem, while also enjoying economic benefits from conservation-focused tourism.
“Ladakh’s distinct wildlife and delicate high-altitude ecosystem are invaluable natural resources. Successful conservation can only occur when local communities become equal partners in protecting nature and gain economically from it,” Saxena remarked.
“Through SHAN, we aim to create a framework that blends wildlife conservation, responsible eco-tourism, environmental education, community empowerment, and sustainable livelihoods. Our goal is to position Ladakh as a global model for community-driven conservation and responsible high-altitude mountain tourism,” he added.
The governing body also sanctioned a range of conservation and awareness initiatives, such as installing 300 color-coded waste bins across 40 villages, acquiring portable cart-based dustbins for waste segregation, and launching a campaign for plastic-free tourism.
It further decided to establish SHAN Wildlife Clubs in 50 government schools, providing financial support of Rs 30,000 per school to facilitate wildlife excursions, and introducing annual wildlife photography fellowships for 10 local youths, they mentioned.
Additional initiatives entail setting up interpretative signages in protected areas to discourage littering, illegal off-roading, and wildlife disturbances, training 50 women artisans to create wildlife-themed souvenirs, including miniature models of the snow leopard and black-necked crane, and opening wildlife souvenir shops across Ladakh.
The LG has instructed all relevant departments to finalize arrangements ahead of the forthcoming snow leopard sighting season during winter.
