Leh, Jul 14: The Ladakh Administration has intensified its crackdown on illegal off-roading in protected wildlife areas, imposing a collective fine of ₹1.20 lakh on 12 bikers and ₹50,000 on an SUV driver for violating the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, in ecologically sensitive zones around Tso Moriri and Pangong Lake.
In the first action of its kind against a motorcycle group, wildlife officials penalised 12 bikers, each fined ₹10,000, after they were found riding off-road near Tso Moriri on July 4. The bikers, part of a Gurugram-based tour operator, had entered the ecologically fragile wetland within the Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary in violation of Section 29 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act. The offence was compounded under Section 54 after payment of the penalty.
In a separate incident on June 30, officials intercepted a Mahindra XUV 3XO being driven off-road near Pangong Lake within the sanctuary limits. The vehicle was seized under Section 50 of the Act, and its driver, a resident of Uttar Pradesh’s Meerut, was fined ₹50,000 before the vehicle was released.
The action comes amid growing concern over tourists damaging fragile wetlands, lake shores and wildlife habitats through unauthorised off-roading in Ladakh’s protected landscapes.
Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena urged visitors to enjoy Ladakh responsibly and respect its fragile ecology. He said the Administration would continue promoting tourism while strictly enforcing laws against activities that threaten the region’s natural heritage.
Officials said the enforcement drive has been strengthened with the deployment of the Ladakh Environment Protection Force, comprising 100 ex-servicemen authorised to monitor sensitive areas and issue on-the-spot penalties. Both violations were detected during routine patrols by Wildlife Department personnel and wildlife informers.
