The Ladakh Administration has fined 12 motorcyclists a total of Rs 1.20 lakh and imposed a Rs 50,000 penalty on an SUV owner for illegally driving through protected wildlife areas, marking its first major enforcement action against a motorcycle group for off-roading in ecologically sensitive zones.
Officials said the action is part of a crackdown on the growing menace of illegal off-roading in wildlife-protected areas, which has been causing damage to Ladakh’s fragile ecosystem.
The 12 bikers were fined Rs 10,000 each for illegally venturing into protected areas near Tso Moriri (Lake Moriri), while an SUV driver was penalised Rs 50,000 for violating provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, near Pangong Lake.
According to officials, on July 4, wildlife authorities detected a group of 12 bikers associated with Gurugram-based tour operator Wanderon Experiences Pvt Ltd riding off-road near Tso Moriri, an ecologically sensitive wetland located within the Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary.
The group was found to have violated Section 29 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which prohibits destruction or disturbance of wildlife habitats within sanctuaries. The offence was compounded under Section 54 of the Act after the group paid a total penalty of Rs 1.20 lakh, amounting to Rs 10,000 per motorcycle.
In a separate incident on June 30, Wildlife Department officials, during routine patrolling near Man Village along Pangong Lake, intercepted a Mahindra XUV 3XO bearing Uttar Pradesh registration number that was being driven off-road within the Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary.
The vehicle was seized under Section 50 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act. The driver, a resident of Meerut in Uttar Pradesh, was fined Rs 50,000, following which the vehicle was released after payment of the penalty.
Officials said Ladakh’s popularity as a destination for motorcycle expeditions has grown significantly in recent years. However, the surge in adventure tourism has also led to an increasing number of tourists driving through protected wetlands, lake shores and other ecologically sensitive habitats.
LG Vinai Kumar Saxena stated that Ladakh’s mountains, lakes, rivers and wildlife were among its greatest treasures and belonged not only to its people 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,” Saxena said.
The initiative has gained further momentum following the recent deployment of the Ladakh Environment Protection Force (EPF), comprising 100 Ex-servicemen authorised to monitor ecologically sensitive areas and issue on-the-spot challans against violators.
