Kargil, June 28: The Ladakh Administration has launched a strict crackdown on illegal off-roading in ecologically sensitive areas, imposing a total penalty of ₹2 lakh on four tourists for violating the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Saxena, the Wildlife Department fined four vehicle owners ₹50,000 each for illegally driving into Pangong Lake and other protected wildlife areas in Changthang and Nubra.
Officials said the action marks the first time such stringent penalties have been imposed in Ladakh against tourists damaging fragile ecosystems through illegal off-roading.
Lieutenant Governor Saxena urged tourists to act responsibly and avoid venturing into protected wildlife habitats, warning that off-road driving in or around such areas is a punishable offence under the Wildlife (Protection) Act.
He said the administration will continue to take strict action against violators to safeguard Ladakh’s fragile ecosystem and endangered wildlife.
Kargil, June 28: The Ladakh Administration has launched a strict crackdown on illegal off-roading in ecologically sensitive areas, imposing a total penalty of ₹2 lakh on four tourists for violating the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
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Acting on the directions of Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena, the Wildlife Department fined four vehicle owners ₹50,000 each for illegally driving into Pangong Lake and other protected wildlife areas in Changthang and Nubra. The offenders hailed from Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh.
Officials said the action marks the first time such stringent penalties have been imposed in Ladakh against tourists damaging fragile ecosystems through illegal off-roading. The vehicles were impounded during the investigation and released only after the penalties were paid.
Lieutenant Governor Saxena urged tourists to act responsibly and avoid venturing into protected wildlife habitats, warning that off-road driving in or around such areas is a punishable offence under the Wildlife (Protection) Act. He said the administration will continue to take strict action against violators to safeguard Ladakh’s fragile ecosystem and endangered wildlife.
