Off-roading is off limits: In a first, Ladakh fines tourists for driving into lake

SRINAGAR: Four tourists have been fined a total of Rs 2 lakh for off-roading in Ladakh’s Pangong Lake and other protected wildlife areas in the Union Territory’s first such punitive action against such illegal incursions.Four vehicles used during the trips over the past fortnight were impounded. A viral video showed one of them, a Toyota Fortuner, purportedly chasing a Tibetan Gazelle through Changthang Cold Desert Wildlife Sanctuary. Gazelles are an endangered species. The vehicles were released Sunday after the visitors -- from Himachal, Punjab, UP and Chandigarh -- coughed up Rs 50,000 each.Off-roading refers to driving vehicles through unpaved and unfamiliar routes in remote areas, including through snow, narrow forest trails or rocky routes.In Ladakh, a govt spokesperson confirmed “strict action had started against the rising menace of illegal off-roading, including tourists driving cars in ecologically sensitive lakes and streams”.The warning came with an appeal from lieutenant-governor VK Saxena. “While Ladakh warmly welcomes visitors, they must be responsible and environmentally conscious,” the LG said in a statement, urging tourists, adventure enthusiasts and vehicle owners not to venture into protected wildlife habitats, disturb endangered species and damage fragile ecosystems.The violations were detected by wildlife officials during routine patrolling and social media surveillance.The most striking transgression occurred on June 17 when the video showed the Fortuner being driven near Nurboo La inside Changthang sanctuary, with the driver purportedly chasing the Gazelle. Wildlife officials launched a search with police and traced the vehicle outside a homestay in nearby Hanle on June 18. Tibetan Gazelles are rare, found mostly in Changthang zone.On June 20, another social media video revealed a Mahindra Thar driving through a stream inside Karakoram (Nubra-Shayok) Wildlife Sanctuary, damaging the habitat and ecological integrity of the protected area. The vehicle was intercepted and impounded near Kharu the next day.Later, a video surfaced showing a Hyundai Creta engaged in off-road driving along Pangong Lake, within the Changthang sanctuary on June 21. The violators were caught the same day near Changla Pass.On June 23, wildlife staff spotted a Mahindra Thar being driven into Pangong Lake, apparently as a stunt, damaging critical wildlife habitat and polluting the waters. The SUV was seized soon after.LG Saxena stressed that off-roading in such ecologically sensitive zones is punishable under Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and warned stringent action would continue against violators.The menace isn’t unique to Ladakh. In neighbouring J&K, authorities in Budgam had last year booked a social media influencer amid public and political outrage over use of high-powered vehicles through the region’s lush meadows and forests of the central Kashmir pocket.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.