In Ladakh, visitors will now have the opportunity to observe snow leopards, Himalayan brown bears, wolves, and other wildlife at close quarters within their natural habitat. To this end, India’s first high-altitude snow leopard wildlife safari has been launched in Leh for domestic and international tourists.
In the initial phase, the safari will operate in the Rumbak, Shang, and Ule regions, with plans for future expansion. Trained local drivers and wildlife guides will safely transport tourists to remote areas using six open-back vehicles. Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena inaugurated the wildlife safari in Leh on Wednesday. It is worth noting that Ladakh is home to 477 snow leopards, out of a national population of approximately 718. Every year, a large number of tourists visit Ladakh to see snow leopards in the wild. The Lieutenant Governor emphasized that the responsibility for environmental conservation in Ladakh should not rest solely with the government.
Local communities must also be made active participants in this effort. Striking a balance between wildlife conservation and the livelihoods of local residents is essential; local guides should earn income from snow leopard sightings, while women should benefit from conservation-oriented handicrafts.
It was reported that 20 local youths are currently undergoing training in bird identification, birdwatching, and spotting techniques. Binoculars will be provided, and bird-watching hides will be developed at key bird-watching sites.
**Employment Opportunities**
This initiative will create employment opportunities for the youth as wildlife guides, bird guides, and nature interpreters. A ‘wild animal felting’ program was also highlighted during the event.
Fifty women from Turtuk, Photoksar, Sangrah, Chushul, and Shargol are participating in this program. Through this initiative, traditional skills and local wool are being linked to conservation-oriented enterprises. The Lieutenant Governor’s administration had announced the launch of the safari on August 5th.
The initiative to launch the safari holds special significance given Ladakh’s rich wildlife and biodiversity. Ladakh is home to over 340 bird species and approximately 1,800 species of vascular plants.
Additional routes for the safari are being identified for the future. These include areas such as Hemis National Park, Changthang, Karakoram Wildlife Sanctuary, Nubra, Zanskar, Sham, Kargil, and Dras, where operations are planned to commence soon.
**Helping to Mitigate Human-Wildlife Conflict**
The Lieutenant Governor inaugurated the first AI-based human-wildlife conflict mitigation device in Ladakh.
The objective is to foster better coexistence between humans and wildlife and to help reduce incidents of conflict. This initiative aims to boost tourism while ensuring that wildlife tourism remains responsible, regulated, and conducive to conservation.
