India's first high-altitude Himalayan snow leopard wildlife safari launched

• India's first high-altitude Himalayan snow leopard wildlife safari was launched in Ladakh on October 7, 2026.

• Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena inaugurated the safari by flagging off six specially designed open-top vehicles during Wildlife Week celebrations in Leh.

• This unique initiative has been launched through the joint efforts of the Snow Leopard and High Altitude Nature Conservation Society and Ladakh's Department of Forests, Ecology, and Environment.

• The initial phase of the safari covers the Rumbak, Shang, and Ule regions, areas where snow leopard sightings are frequent.

• Future plans include expanding the safari to Hemis National Park, the Changthang and Karakoram wildlife sanctuaries, as well as the Nubra, Zanskar, Sham, Kargil, and Dras regions.

• This initiative is considered a significant step towards snow leopard conservation, as well as the promotion of wildlife tourism and awareness regarding high-altitude Himalayan biodiversity in Ladakh.