Ladakh Launches India’s First High-Altitude Snow Leopard Wildlife Safari

Ladakh has started India’s first high-altitude wildlife safari focused on snow leopards. Lt Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena flagged off six safari vehicles on 7th September, 2026 during Wildlife Week 2026 at Choglamsar Protected Forest, Leh. The event followed the theme “Connecting Habitats, Thriving Wildlife.” The plan was announced on August 5 and put into action within two months.

Key Features of India’s First High-Altitude Snow Leopard Wildlife Safari

The safari is run by the Snow Leopard and High-Altitude Nature Conservation (SHAN) Society, working with the UT’s Department of Forest, Ecology and Environment.

Routes and Vehicles

• Safaris will first run in Rumbak, Shang and Uley, where snow leopards are often seen.
• Routes are being identified in Hemis National Park, Changthang, Karakoram Wildlife Sanctuary, Nubra, Zanskar, Sham, Kargil and Drass.
• Visitors will travel in open-back vehicles with trained local drivers and wildlife guides.

Support for Local People

• Twenty local youth are being trained in bird identification and birdwatching. They will get binoculars, and bird-watching hides will be built at major hotspots.
• The aim is to create jobs as wildlife guides, bird guides, nature interpreters and eco-tourism entrepreneurs.
• The Wild Animal Felting Programme, involving 50 women from villages like Turtuk and Chushul, links local wool with conservation.
• Funds were given for conservation education through eco-clubs in 50 schools.
• The Wildlife Division, Kargil, in collaboration with the University of Ladakh, also launched an AI-based Human-Wildlife Conflict Mitigation Device.

Why Did Ladakh Need India’s First High-Altitude Snow Leopard Wildlife Safari?

Ladakh has 477 of India’s roughly 718 snow leopards, the largest share in the country. It also has over 38 mammal species, more than 340 bird species, and about 1,800 vascular plant species. Guided safaris are meant to stop illegal off-roading and wildlife disturbance, while making tourism more eco-friendly. The government alone will not protect the environment. Local people become partners, which builds a sense of custodianship and steady income. Saxena also called for strict control of visitor numbers, waste, and plastic pollution.