Ladakh launches India's first high-altitude Safari for snow leopards and birds

The Union territory of Ladakh will introduce India's first high-altitude wildlife safari and guided expeditions for snow leopard and birdwatching, placing local communities at the centre of conservation and tourism.

This comes after Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena approved the initiative and introduced guided jeep safaris on snow leopard and birdwatching trails across some of Ladakh's most ecologically sensitive landscapes.

The safari, unlike conventional wildlife tourism, will rely on trained local guides and drivers, a model also designed to curb illegal off-roading and reduce disturbance to wildlife.

The administration has asked the Forest Department to identify safari routes through Hemis National Park, Changthang, and Karakoram Wildlife Sanctuaries, besides areas such as Nubra, Zanskar, Sham, Kargil, and Drass, all known for snow leopard sightings and rich birdlife. The decision was taken at the first governing body meeting of the newly constituted Snow Leopard and High-Altitude Nature (SHAN) Conservation Society.

According to officials, the initiative aims to balance tourism with conservation by creating a platform of economic opportunities for local residents. Twenty local youths, equipped with binoculars and deployed as guides, will be trained in bird identification and birdwatching. The administration will also establish ten birdwatching hides at key hotspots.

Ladakh is home to India's largest snow leopard population, with 477 of the country's estimated 718 snow leopards. The region also supports more than 38 mammal species, 340 bird species, and around 1,800 vascular plant species, making it one of India's most significant biodiversity landscapes.

The safari project is part of the broader mandate of the SHAN Conservation Society, established in June to promote community-led wildlife conservation, responsible tourism, and sustainable livelihoods. Under the model, local communities will become active partners in protecting Ladakh's fragile ecosystem while benefiting economically through eco-tourism and related activities.

"The conservation efforts can only succeed when local communities become equal partners in protecting nature and also benefit economically from it," Saxena said. He added that the administration's vision is to make Ladakh a global example of community-led conservation and responsible high-altitude mountain tourism.

The governing body also approved a series of complementary measures, including a plastic-free tourism campaign, installation of 300 color-coded waste bins across 40 villages, wildlife clubs in 50 government schools, wildlife photography fellowships for local youth, training programs for women artisans to produce wildlife-themed souvenirs, and interpretive signages in protected areas to discourage littering and illegal off-roading.

The administration has directed all departments to complete preparations before the start of the snow leopard sighting season this winter.