LEH — Union Territory authorities in Ladakh are preparing to launch India’s first high-altitude wildlife safari following approval from Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena. The decision was finalized during the inaugural governing body meeting of the newly established Snow Leopard and High-Altitude Nature (SHAN) Conservation Society. Under this initiative, guided jeep safaris will operate along designated snow leopard and birdwatching routes using specialized open-back vehicles. The project aims to curtail unregulated off-roading, minimize environmental disruption, and establish local residents as key partners in ecological preservation and regional economic development.
The Forest Department has been tasked with identifying safari corridors across key sanctuaries and parks, including Hemis National Park, Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary, and Karakoram Wildlife Sanctuary, along with wildlife hotspots in Nubra, Zanskar, Sham, Kargil, and Drass. To enhance community involvement, twenty local youths will undergo specialized training in bird identification and wildlife tracking, while ten dedicated hides will be constructed at major birding spots. Ladakh supports India’s largest snow leopard population, hosting 477 of the country’s estimated 718 individuals, alongside over 38 mammal species, 340 bird species, and nearly 1,800 vascular plant varieties.
Formed on June 16, 2026, the SHAN Conservation Society is tasked with developing a broad framework for community-led environmental stewardship, waste management, and sustainable tourism across the region. As part of the rollout, officials approved the installation of 300 color-coded waste bins across 40 villages, portable segregation units, and a campaign to eliminate single-use plastics. Additionally, wildlife clubs will be established in 50 public schools supported by funding of Rs. 30,000 per school, alongside photography fellowships and souvenir craft training for local women artisans, with all operational arrangements set to be completed ahead of the upcoming winter sighting season
