MSRINAGAR: In a major crackdown on illegal off-roading in ecologically sensitive zones, the Ladakh Administration has imposed penalties totalling Rs 1.70 lakh on 12 motorcyclists and an SUV driver for violating provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, marking the first action of its kind against a motorcycle touring group in the Union Territory.
The largest penalty was imposed on a group of 12 bikers associated with Gurugram-based tour operator Wanderon Experiences Pvt Ltd, who were caught riding off-road near Tso Moriri, a protected wetland within the Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary. Wildlife officials detected the violation on July 4 and found the group had entered a protected area in contravention of Section 29 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act.
The offence was compounded under Section 54 of the Act after the bikers paid a total fine of Rs 1.20 lakh, with each motorcycle attracting a penalty of Rs 10,000.
In a separate incident on June 30, Wildlife Department officials intercepted a Mahindra XUV 3XO with Uttar Pradesh registration near Man village along Pangong Lake. The vehicle was allegedly being driven off-road within the Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary, close to the lake’s fragile shoreline.
The SUV was seized under Section 50 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, and its driver, a resident of Meerut in Uttar Pradesh, was fined Rs 50,000. The vehicle was released after the penalty was paid.
The action comes amid growing concern over the environmental impact of adventure tourism in Ladakh. With the region becoming one of India’s most popular destinations for motorcycle expeditions, authorities say there has been a steady increase in tourists driving through fragile wetlands, lake shores and wildlife habitats, causing damage to sensitive ecosystems and disturbing native wildlife.
Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena said Ladakh’s mountains, lakes, rivers and wildlife constituted an irreplaceable natural heritage that belonged not only to the people of Ladakh but to the entire nation.
“We wholeheartedly welcome every visitor who comes to experience the unparalleled beauty, culture and hospitality of Ladakh. I urge all tourists to enjoy our breathtaking landscapes and unique wildlife responsibly and refrain from any activity that harms our fragile ecology or disturbs protected habitats. The Administration will continue to promote tourism, but equally, we shall enforce the law firmly against those who endanger Ladakh’s priceless natural heritage,” he said.
The enforcement drive follows directions issued by the Lieutenant Governor to curb illegal off-roading across Ladakh’s environmentally fragile landscapes. The campaign has also gained momentum with the recent deployment of the Ladakh Environment Protection Force, comprising 100 ex-servicemen authorised to patrol ecologically sensitive areas and issue on-the-spot challans against violators.
Officials said both violations were detected during routine patrolling by Wildlife Department personnel with assistance from wildlife informers, underscoring the Administration’s enhanced surveillance and enforcement efforts across protected landscapes.
