Ladakh fines tourists 2 lakh for illegal off-roading in Pangong Lake Wildlife Sanctuary

In a first for Ladakh, the Union Territory exemption has initiated legal action against tourists accused of illegally driving through ecologically sensitive areas, including Pangong Lake and protected wildlife sanctuaries.

The administration imposed a total fine of ₹2 lakh on four offenders under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, while each vehicle owner was fined ₹50,000. Authorities also impounded all four vehicles during the investigation before releasing them after paying penalties.

According to officials, the violations were detected at four separate locations under the Leh Wildlife Division, including Merak and Lukung along the banks of Pangong Lake, Nurboo La in Hanla and Sumur in the Nubra Valley.

The promotion is governed by LG’s guidelines

A spokesperson of the Ladakh government said on Sunday that “taking strict action against the growing menace of illegal off-roading, including cases of tourists driving cars in ecologically sensitive lakes and rivers in Ladakh, the Ladakh administration on the instructions of Governor VK Saxena has for the first time initiated prosecution and imposition of heavy penalties on drivers”.

The spokesperson added that “On June 26, the Ladakh Conservation Department imposed the penalty ₹50,000 each on four vehicles found violating conservation provisions.

Vehicles tracked through patrols and social networks

The administration said the penalized vehicles were registered in Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. They were found in the last few days entering Pangong Lake and other protected habitats in Changthang and Nubra areas.

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Officials said the violations were discovered during routine wildlife patrols as well as by monitoring videos shared on social media. The incidents occurred in Merak and Lukung near Pangong Lake, Nurboo La in Hanla and Sumur in Nubra Valley.

The administration said impounding the vehicles and imposing financial penalties reflected its determination to protect Ladakh’s fragile environment and endangered wildlife.

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One driver accused of chasing a Tibetan gazelle

Among the reported incidents, on June 23, a Punjab-registered vehicle was allegedly driven into the waters of Pangong Lake near Merak to perform stunts.

In another case, officials seized a car registered in Uttar Pradesh after footage surfaced online showing it driving off-road near Lukung in the Changthang Desert Wildlife Sanctuary.

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Another Punjab-registered jeep was reportedly driven through a stream inside the Karakoram (Nubra-Shayok) Wildlife Reserve.

Meanwhile, a Himachal Pradesh-registered vehicle was traced after a viral video allegedly showed it chasing a Tibetan gazelle near Nurboo La inside a wildlife sanctuary in the cold Changthang desert.

LG calls for responsible tourism

Governor VK Saxena appealed to tourists, adventure enthusiasts and vehicle owners to exercise responsibility while traveling in Ladakh and refrain from entering protected wildlife habitats.

According to the administration, he warned that such activities disrupt endangered species, damage delicate ecosystems and undermine the ecological significance of the region’s tourist destinations.

The Lieutenant Governor further emphasized that off-road driving in or near wildlife protected areas is an offense under the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 and said strict enforcement against violators would continue.

(With inputs from news agency ANI)