Highlights
- Ladakh administration serious about the damage to the environment
- Ladakh administration taking action against illegal off-roading
- LG appeals to tourists- “Help save the ecosystem and wildlife”
Ladakh: Strict action has been taken against 12 bikers for off-roading in Ladakh. A fine of Rs 1.20 lakh was imposed on these bikers. Apart from this, a fine of Rs 50,000 has also been imposed on an SUV owner for damaging the ecosystem.
LG Vinay Kumar Saxena has appealed to the tourists to understand their responsibility and enjoy Ladakh. He has said that help in saving the ecosystem and wildlife. Let us tell you that on the initiative of LG, 100 ex-servicemen have been deployed in the Environmental Protection Force to save the ecosystem of Ladakh.
For the first time a biker group has been fined
In a major action against illegal off-roading in protected wildlife areas, the Ladakh administration has for the first time fined a biker group. The administration imposed a total fine of Rs 1.20 lakh (₹10,000 per bike) on 12 bikers, while an SUV driver was fined ₹50,000 for illegal off-roading near Pangong Lake.
Lieutenant Governor Vinay Kumar Saxena has appealed to tourists to respect the natural beauty, wildlife and delicate ecosystem of Ladakh and enjoy tourism responsibly.
12 bikers caught near Tso Moriri
On July 4, 2026, Wildlife Department officials arrested Gurugram-based tour operator “Wanderon Experiences Pvt. Ltd.” 12 bikers were caught doing illegal off-roading in the ecologically sensitive area of Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary near Tso Moriri Lake.
Investigation found that all the bike riders violated Section 29 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. After this, the case was settled under Section 54 and a total fine of ₹ 1.20 lakh was collected from all the 12 bikers.
₹ 50 thousand fine on SUV driver near Pangong Lake
Earlier on June 30, 2026, during routine patrolling near Maan village near Pangong Lake, the Forest Department caught a Mahindra XUV 3XO of Uttar Pradesh number (UP12CA5111) doing illegal off-roading in the protected area.
The vehicle was seized under Section 50 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The driver, who is a resident of Meerut (Uttar Pradesh), was fined ₹50,000. The vehicle was released after depositing the fine.
The environment is being harmed
According to the administration, in the last few years Ladakh has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country for bikers. But many tourists are also going off-roading in protected wildlife areas, wetlands, lake shores and sensitive natural habitats, causing serious damage to fragile ecosystems and wildlife.
Lieutenant Governor’s appeal
Lieutenant Governor Vinay Kumar Saxena said that the mountains, lakes, rivers and wildlife of Ladakh are an invaluable heritage not only of the people here but of the entire country.
He said, “We welcome every tourist to Ladakh, but everyone is requested to enjoy the natural beauty and wildlife responsibly and avoid any activities that harm the environment or protected habitats.
Along with promoting tourism, the administration will strictly enforce the law against those who damage the natural heritage.”
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