Ladakh launches India’s first high-altitude snow leopard wildlife safari

• Lt Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena flagged off India’s first high-altitude wildlife safari in Ladakh on October 8.

• 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 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’.

Significance of this initiative

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

• 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 youth and communities. 

• This 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.

• 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.

• 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.