Ladakh launches Indias first high-altitude wildlife safari focused on snow leopards

The vehicles will initially operate in identified areas like Rumbak, Shang and Uley, where snow leopards are frequently sighted. Pic: iStock

India's first high-altitude wildlife safari in Ladakh has become a reality, with Lt Governor, Vinai Kumar Saxena, on Wednesday flagging off six vehicles for the Ladakh Snow Leopard Safari.

Officials said this marks a major step towards promoting responsible wildlife tourism and community-based conservation in the Union Territory, while creating sustainable livelihood for the local youths and communities. The decision to introduce wildlife safari in Ladakh was announced on August 5, this year, and the same has been executed in two months.

This initiative by the Lieutenant Governor is being conducted by the Snow Leopard and High-Altitude Nature Conservation (SHAN) Society, in collaboration with the Department of Forest, Ecology and Environment, UT Ladakh.

According to officials, the vehicles will initially operate in identified areas like Rumbak, Shang and Uley, where snow leopards are frequently sighted. This will provide the visitors with a rare guided opportunity to witness Ladakh's distinctive flora and fauna.

Specially designed open-back vehicles, trained local drivers and wildlife guides will be deployed, with suitable routes being identified across Hemis National Park, Changthang and Karakoram Wildlife Sanctuary, besides Nubra, Zanskar, Sham, Kargil and Drass districts.

A spokesman said the objective behind introducing guided safaris is to prevent the incidents of illegal off-roading and disturbing wildlife, besides strengthening sustainable and responsible eco-friendly tourism and enhancing visitor experience. It envisages a unique model of environment conservation in Ladakh, wherein the government alone will not be responsible for environment protection but the local communities will be made active partners in protecting Ladakh's fragile ecosystem and wildlife. This will instill a sense of custodianship among the people, while creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for them.

LG Saxena said the safari is designed to make wildlife tourism responsible, regulated and compatible with conservation. Regulated visitor numbers, approved routes and trained local personnel will help minimise disturbance to wildlife while creating direct livelihood opportunities for local communities.

"Wildlife should not be protected at the cost of people, nor should development come at the cost of wildlife. We must create a model in which both can thrive together," said L-G Saxena, adding that a local guide earning from a snow leopard sighting, a woman earning through conservation-linked handicrafts and a village benefiting from protecting its wetland, are examples of how conservation can become an economic opportunity.

Ladakh has the country's largest snow leopard population, with 477 snow leopards out of an estimated national population of around 718. The region is also home to more than 38 mammal species, over 340 bird species and around 1,800 vascular plant species. The Lieutenant Governor said protecting this natural heritage is an investment in Ladakh's ecological security, local livelihoods and future economy.

The snow leopard safari vehicles were flagged off during the Wildlife Week 2026 celebrations at Choglamsar Protected Forest, Leh, being observed under the theme "Connecting Habitats, Thriving Wildlife."