LEH, Oct 7 (KNS): Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Wednesday flagged off India's first high-altitude wildlife safari in Ladakh, aimed at promoting responsible tourism, protecting fragile habitats and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for local communities.

Six vehicles for the Ladakh Snow Leopard Safari were flagged off during the Wildlife Week 2026 celebrations at Choglamsar Protected Forest.

The initiative 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.

The safari will initially operate in identified areas including Rumbak, Shang and Uley, where snow leopards are frequently sighted. Specially designed open-back vehicles, trained local drivers and wildlife guides will be deployed for guided wildlife tours.

The routes will subsequently cover areas across Hemis National Park, Changthang and Karakoram Wildlife Sanctuary, besides Nubra, Zanskar, Sham, Kargil and Drass.

Saxena said the initiative was aimed not merely at increasing tourism but at making wildlife tourism regulated, responsible and compatible with conservation.

“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,” he said.

The administration said regulated visitor numbers, approved routes and trained local personnel would help minimise disturbance to wildlife and prevent illegal off-roading, while providing direct livelihood opportunities to local communities.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

Ladakh has the country's largest snow leopard population, with 477 animals out of an estimated national population of around 718, according to the administration. The region is also home to more than 38 mammal species and over 340 bird species.

The initiative also includes training 20 local youth in bird identification, birdwatching and wildlife spotting, with opportunities for them to work as wildlife guides, bird guides, nature interpreters and eco-tourism entrepreneurs.

Saxena also highlighted conservation-linked livelihood initiatives, including a Wild Animal Felting Programme involving 50 women from different parts of Ladakh.

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

The Lieutenant Governor also inaugurated an AI-based human-wildlife conflict mitigation device developed by the Wildlife Division, Kargil, in collaboration with the University of Ladakh, Kargil Campus.

He also released a documentary on the Himalayan Brown Bear and a brochure on wildlife tourism packages offered by SHAN Society. The second edition of the Ladakh Black-necked Crane Festival was also announced.

The decision to introduce wildlife safaris in Ladakh was announced on August 5 this year and the initiative has been implemented within two months, the administration said.