Leh, July 15: The Ladakh administration has intensified its campaign against illegal off-roading in ecologically sensitive regions, penalising 13 tourists for driving through protected wildlife habitats in separate incidents near Tso Moriri and Pangong Lake.
Officials said 12 motorcyclists were each fined ₹10,000 after entering restricted areas around Tso Moriri Lake. In a separate case, the owner of a sports utility vehicle (SUV) was slapped with a ₹50,000 penalty for illegally driving through a protected zone near Pangong Lake, in violation of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
The crackdown comes amid rising concerns over tourists venturing off designated routes and driving across fragile wetlands, lake shores and wildlife habitats, activities that threaten Ladakh's delicate ecosystem and disturb native wildlife.
Authorities said the violations were detected during routine surveillance carried out by Wildlife Department teams with support from wildlife informers as part of increased monitoring across environmentally sensitive landscapes.
The enforcement drive follows directions issued by Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena to curb illegal off-roading and strengthen conservation measures in Ladakh's protected areas, which have witnessed a significant increase in tourist footfall in recent years.
In a statement, the Lieutenant Governor emphasised the importance of preserving Ladakh's unique natural heritage while welcoming visitors to the Union Territory.
"We warmly welcome everyone who visits Ladakh to experience its unmatched natural beauty, rich culture and warm hospitality. I appeal to all tourists to explore the region responsibly, avoid activities that damage its fragile ecology or disturb protected wildlife habitats, and follow all designated routes. While we remain committed to promoting tourism, strict action will continue against anyone found violating environmental protection laws," he said.
Officials added that the enforcement campaign has gained further momentum with the deployment of the Ladakh Environment Protection Force (EPF), a specialised unit of 100 ex-servicemen empowered to patrol ecologically sensitive areas and issue on-the-spot penalties for environmental violations.
The administration has also urged tourists, particularly adventure riders and off-road enthusiasts, to respect designated routes and stay away from protected wildlife areas, warning that any violations will invite stringent legal action.
