Four tourists have been fined a total of Rs 2 lakh for illegal off-roading inside some of Ladakh's most sensitive protected wildlife zones, in what authorities are calling a first-of-its-kind enforcement action in the region.
The vehicle owners, from Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Chandigarh, each paid Rs 50,000 under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Their vehicles were impounded on the spot and returned only after the penalties were cleared on Sunday.
The violations, which took place over a fortnight, were detected through a combination of routine patrolling and social media surveillance after videos of several incidents went viral online.
What the tourists did
The most serious case involved a Toyota Fortuner registered in Himachal Pradesh. The vehicle was caught on video allegedly chasing a Tibetan gazelle near Nurboo La, inside the Changthang Cold Desert Wildlife Sanctuary, on June 17. Wildlife officials tracked the vehicle down the following day near a homestay in Hanle and seized it.
Three days later, on June 20, a Mahindra Thar was filmed driving through a stream inside the Karakoram (Nubra-Shayok) Wildlife Sanctuary, causing damage to the habitat.
On June 21, a Hyundai Creta was caught off-roading along the shores of Pangong Lake. And on June 23, a second Mahindra Thar was driven directly into the waters of the lake near Merak, apparently as a stunt. Authorities said that incident polluted the lake and caused damage to its habitat.
What the authorities said
Ladakh Lt Governor V.K. Saxena condemned the incidents and made clear that enforcement will continue. He said Ladakh is open to visitors from across India and abroad, but drew a firm line on what is acceptable behaviour inside protected zones.
He said tourists, adventure enthusiasts, and vehicle owners must avoid entering wildlife habitats, disturbing endangered species, or damaging ecosystems that are already under significant climate stress at high altitude.
A government spokesperson confirmed that the crackdown will continue, describing illegal off-roading in lakes, streams, and sanctuaries as a growing problem that the administration is now actively targeting.
Why it matters
Ladakh's high-altitude sanctuaries are home to some of India's rarest wildlife. The Changthang Cold Desert Wildlife Sanctuary alone shelters species including the Tibetan gazelle, snow leopard, and Kiang. Pangong Lake, which sits at over 4,300 metres above sea level, is part of a fragile ecosystem that takes years to recover from physical disturbance.
The Tibetan gazelle, also known as the Goa, is listed as a near-threatened species. Vehicles chasing or cornering wildlife in sanctuary zones can cause fatal stress to the animals, disrupt breeding behaviour, and degrade the habitat for other species sharing the same territory.
(With TOI inputs)
