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Ladakh Launches India’s First High-Altitude Wildlife Safari
Ladakh has started a new safari to help visitors see wildlife, including snow leopards.
Six specially designed vehicles have been launched for the trips.
At first, they will travel through Rumbak, Shang and Uley, where snow leopards are often seen.
Local drivers and wildlife guides will accompany visitors.
Officials say set routes and visitor limits can help protect animals and their homes.
The programme is also meant to create work for local people.
Twenty young people are learning to identify birds, and 50 women are making wildlife-themed wool products.
Other activities at the event included conservation education in schools and a new device to help reduce conflict between people and wildlife.
Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena flagged off six safari vehicles during Wildlife Week celebrations in Ladakh.
The guided snow leopard safari will initially operate in Rumbak, Shang and Uley, with more routes planned.
The Snow Leopard and High-Altitude Nature Conservation Society is running the initiative with Ladakh’s Forest, Ecology and Environment Department.
Officials say trained local drivers, wildlife guides, approved routes and regulated visitor numbers are intended to limit disturbance and illegal off-roading.
The programme also links conservation with livelihoods, including training for 20 young people and wildlife-themed wool crafts made by 50 women.
- Who
- Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena flagged off the safari; the Snow Leopard and High-Altitude Nature Conservation Society is operating it with the UT Ladakh Forest, Ecology and Environment Department.
- What
- Six vehicles were launched for India’s first high-altitude wildlife safari, focused on snow leopards and other wildlife.
- Where
- The vehicles will initially operate in Rumbak, Shang and Uley in Ladakh.
- When
- Wednesday, October 7, during Wildlife Week 2026 celebrations.
- Why
- The initiative aims to promote regulated, responsible wildlife tourism, reduce wildlife disturbance and illegal off-roading, and create conservation-linked livelihoods.
Key facts
- Vehicles launched
- Six specially designed open-back vehicles
- Initial safari areas
- Rumbak, Shang and Uley
- Planned additional areas
- Hemis National Park, Changthang, Karakoram Wildlife Sanctuary, Nubra, Zanskar, Sham, Kargil and Drass
- Ladakh snow leopards
- 477, out of an estimated national population of around 718
- Youth training
- 20 local young people are being trained in bird identification and spotting
- Women’s programme
- 50 women from five areas are participating in a wildlife-themed felting programme
- School conservation education
- Support was provided for conservation education through Eco Clubs in 50 schools
Quotes
Vinai Kumar Saxena
Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh
“Regulated visitor numbers, approved routes and trained local personnel will help minimise disturbance to wildlife while creating direct livelihood opportunities for local communities.”
theprint.in
“When habitats remain connected, wildlife thrives. When wildlife thrives, communities benefit. And when communities benefit from conservation, conservation itself becomes sustainable.”
theprint.in
Official spokesperson
Official spokesperson quoted in the article.
“With the launch of India’s first high‑altitude wildlife safari, Ladakh is positioning itself as a global exemplar of community‑driven conservation and responsible mountain tourism—an emerging model where wildlife thrives, habitats remain connected and local communities become custodians of the natural world.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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