LEH: The Ladakh Administration has intensified its crackdown on illegal off-roading in wildlife-protected areas, imposing fines on 12 motorcyclists and an SUV driver for violating the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, officials said on Tuesday.
In a first-of-its-kind action against a motorcycle group, the administration fined 12 bikers ₹1.20 lakh, with each rider penalised ₹10,000 for illegally riding in ecologically sensitive areas near Tso Moriri within the Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary.
According to officials, the violation was detected on July 4 when wildlife personnel found the group, associated with Gurugram-based tour operator Wanderon Experiences Pvt Ltd, riding off-road in the protected wetland area. The offence was compounded under Section 54 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act after the group paid the prescribed penalty.
In a separate incident on June 30, wildlife officials intercepted a Mahindra XUV 3XO near Man village along Pangong Lake after it was found being driven off-road inside the Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary. The vehicle, registered in Uttar Pradesh, was seized under Section 50 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act. The driver, a resident of Meerut, was fined ₹50,000, following which the vehicle was released.
Officials said Ladakh has witnessed a sharp increase in illegal off-roading in recent years as adventure tourism has grown, with tourists frequently driving through fragile wetlands, lake shores and wildlife habitats, posing a serious threat to the region’s unique ecosystem.
Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena urged visitors to enjoy Ladakh responsibly and avoid activities that damage its fragile environment or disturb protected wildlife habitats. He said the administration remains committed to promoting tourism while ensuring strict enforcement of environmental laws against violators.
The latest action follows directions issued by the Lieutenant Governor to curb illegal off-roading and protect Ladakh’s ecologically sensitive landscapes. The enforcement drive has also been strengthened with the deployment of the Ladakh Environment Protection Force (EPF), comprising 100 ex-servicemen authorised to monitor protected areas and issue on-the-spot challans.
Officials said both violations were detected during routine patrolling by Wildlife Department personnel with the assistance of wildlife informers, highlighting the administration’s enhanced surveillance across protected landscapes.
