Leh, Ladakh: In a landmark step towards sustainable eco-tourism and wildlife conservation, Ladakh is set to launch India’s first-ever high-altitude wildlife safari, offering visitors a rare opportunity to explore the Himalayan wilderness while protecting its fragile ecosystem. The initiative has been approved by Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena during the inaugural meeting of the Snow Leopard and High-Altitude Nature (SHAN) Conservation Society.

The proposed safari will feature guided jeep safaris along carefully selected snow leopard and birdwatching trails, making the region’s extraordinary wildlife more accessible in a regulated and responsible manner. The Forest Department has been directed to identify safari routes across Hemis National Park, Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary, Karakoram Wildlife Sanctuary, as well as the wildlife-rich landscapes of Nubra, Zanskar, Sham, Kargil, and Drass.

The initiative aims to balance tourism with conservation by involving local communities as trained guides and safari operators, ensuring that they directly benefit from wildlife tourism while becoming active partners in protecting Ladakh’s unique biodiversity. Authorities believe the programme will also help curb unregulated off-road driving and reduce disturbance to wildlife habitats.

Ladakh’s high-altitude landscapes are home to some of the world’s most iconic mountain wildlife, including the Snow Leopard, Tibetan Wolf, Himalayan Ibex, Blue Sheep (Bharal), Tibetan Wild Ass (Kiang), and numerous rare migratory birds. The new safari is expected to strengthen conservation efforts while promoting responsible nature-based tourism.

Officials believe the project could position Ladakh as a global model for community-led high-altitude wildlife tourism, demonstrating that conservation and sustainable livelihoods can go hand in hand while safeguarding one of the planet’s most spectacular mountain ecosystems.