In a first-of-its-kind enforcement action, the Ladakh administration has imposed fines totalling ₹1.70 lakh on a group of 12 motorcyclists and an SUV owner for illegal off-roading inside ecologically sensitive protected areas, signalling a tougher approach against adventure tourism that threatens the Union territory's fragile environment.
The largest penalty was imposed on 12 bikers associated with Gurugram-based tour operator WanderOn Experiences Pvt. Ltd. The group was found riding off designated roads near Tso Moriri, a Ramsar wetland located within the Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary, one of Ladakh's most ecologically sensitive landscapes. Wildlife officials detected the violation during patrolling on July 4 and found the riders had entered a protected area in violation of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
The offence was compounded under Section 54 of the Act after the bikers paid a collective fine of ₹1.20 lakh, with each motorcycle attracting a penalty of ₹10,000.
In a separate incident, authorities seized a Mahindra XUV 3XO registered in Uttar Pradesh after it was allegedly driven off-road near Pangong Lake within the Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary. The driver, a resident of Meerut, was fined ₹50,000, and the vehicle was released only after the penalty was paid. The SUV had allegedly ventured close to the lake's fragile shoreline, an area particularly vulnerable to ecological damage.
Officials said the crackdown is part of a wider campaign to curb illegal off-roading, which has emerged as a growing concern with the boom in motorcycle expeditions and self-drive tourism across Ladakh.
Vehicles leaving designated tracks can damage alpine grasslands, wetlands and nesting grounds of rare wildlife, besides leaving lasting scars on the cold desert ecosystem that takes decades to recover.
Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena said Ladakh's mountains, lakes, rivers and wildlife constitute a priceless natural heritage that belongs not only to the people of Ladakh but to the entire nation.
While welcoming tourists to experience the region's unique landscapes and culture, he urged visitors to travel responsibly and avoid activities that harm protected habitats. He also made it clear that the administration would continue to promote tourism while strictly enforcing environmental laws against violators.
The enforcement drive follows directions issued by the Lieutenant Governor to strengthen the protection of Ladakh's ecologically sensitive areas. The administration has also deployed the Ladakh Environment Protection Force, comprising around 100 trained ex-servicemen, to patrol vulnerable locations and issue on-the-spot challans against offenders.
Officials said both cases were detected during routine patrols with assistance from wildlife informers, underscoring increased surveillance across protected landscapes. The administration hopes the action will serve as a strong deterrent and reinforce the message that while Ladakh welcomes adventure tourism, it cannot come at the cost of its fragile ecology.
