Srinagar: India’s first high‑altitude wildlife safari became a reality on Wednesday as Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena flagged off six specially designed vehicles for the Ladakh Snow Leopard Safari, marking a historic leap in the Union Territory’s efforts to promote responsible wildlife tourism.

Conceived on August 5 and executed in just two months, the initiative positions Ladakh to host what may soon be recognised as the world’s highest wildlife safari, rising across Himalayan landscapes between 2,750 and 5,000 meters.

It promises structured access to terrains where snow leopards, Himalayan birds and rare alpine flora thrive—areas previously accessible only to trekkers and researchers braving extreme conditions.

The safari is being operated by the Snow Leopard and High‑Altitude Nature Conservation (SHAN) Society in collaboration with the Department of Forest, Ecology and Environment, UT Ladakh.

The vehicles will initially ply through Rumbak, Shang and Uley, zones known for frequent snow leopard sightings, before expanding to routes across Hemis National Park, Changthang, Karakoram Wildlife Sanctuary and wildlife‑rich regions including Nubra, Zanskar, Sham, Kargil and Drass.

Modeled on India’s celebrated national parks such as Kaziranga and Ranthambore, the safaris will use open‑back jeeps driven by trained local drivers and accompanied by wildlife guides, ensuring both visitor safety and minimal disturbance to fragile habitats, an official spokesperson said in Leh.

Flagging off the vehicles during Wildlife Week 2026 celebrations at Choglamsar Protected Forest, Saxena underscored that the safari is not merely a tourism venture but a transformative conservation‑linked livelihood model.

He stressed that Ladakh’s ecological wealth—home to India’s largest snow leopard population with 477 individuals out of the national estimate of 718, along with more than 38 mammal species, 340 bird species and 1,800 vascular plant species—must be protected through community partnership.

Conservation, he said, must become an economic opportunity for local people, whether through guiding, handicrafts or village‑level stewardship of wetlands and wildlife corridors.

The Lt. Governor emphasised that regulated visitor numbers, approved routes and trained personnel will ensure that tourism remains compatible with conservation.

The guided safari model aims to curb illegal off‑roading, reduce wildlife disturbance and strengthen Ladakh’s shift toward high‑value, low‑impact, knowledge‑based tourism.

He reiterated that Ladakh welcomes visitors but will act firmly against activities that harm its fragile ecology, noting that carrying capacity, waste management and plastic pollution must be strictly monitored.

Wildlife Week celebrations also highlighted the Administration’s efforts to build a conservation economy.

Twenty local youth are being trained in bird identification and spotting and will be equipped with binoculars, while bird‑watching hides will be established at major hotspots to support both tourism and scientific monitoring.

Women’s participation in conservation‑linked enterprises was showcased through the Wild Animal Felting Programme, involving 50 women from Turtuk, Photoksar, Sangrah, Chushul and Shargole, who are using traditional wool crafts to create wildlife‑themed products.

Saxena called for stronger design, branding and market access to help such women‑led ventures reach wider markets.

During the event, cheques were handed over to Chief Education Officers of Leh and Kargil for conservation education in 50 schools through Eco Clubs supported by SHAN Society.

Certificates were presented to winners of poster painting, quiz, wildlife reel‑making and logo design competitions.

The Lt. Governor also inaugurated an AI‑based Human‑Wildlife Conflict Mitigation Device developed by the Wildlife Division, Kargil in collaboration with the University of Ladakh, released a documentary on the Himalayan Brown Bear and unveiled a brochure on SHAN Society’s wildlife tourism packages.

The second edition of the Ladakh Black‑necked Crane Festival was also announced.

Saxena said Ladakh’s overarching vision is to ensure that future generations inherit an ecosystem that is richer, healthier and more resilient.

“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,” the spokesperson said. 


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