The offenders, whose vehicles were registered in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Chandigarh, were fined ₹50,000 each under the Wildlife (Protection) Act.
BY PC Bureau
June 28, 2026: In a first-of-its-kind crackdown, the Ladakh Administration has imposed hefty penalties on tourists caught illegally driving vehicles through Pangong Lake and other ecologically sensitive wildlife habitats, signalling a zero-tolerance approach towards environmental violations in the Union Territory.
Acting on the directions of Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena, the Wildlife Department fined four vehicle owners ₹50,000 each under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, for illegally driving through protected areas in Changthang and Nubra. The total penalty imposed amounted to ₹2 lakh.
The violators, whose vehicles were registered in Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, were found driving off-road through Pangong Lake, river streams and wildlife habitats over the past few days. Their vehicles were impounded during the investigation and released only after the penalties were paid.
Officials said the action marks the first time the Ladakh Administration has imposed such stringent penalties against tourists for damaging the region’s fragile ecosystem.
Crackdown on illegal off-roading
The enforcement drive follows an increase in incidents of tourists driving SUVs into lakes, streams and protected wildlife zones to perform stunts or create social media content.
Wildlife officials detected the violations during routine patrols and through social media monitoring, with incidents reported from Merak and Lukung along Pangong Lake, Nurboo La in Hanle, and Sumur in Nubra Valley.
Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena said while Ladakh welcomes visitors from across India and abroad, tourists must act responsibly and respect the region’s environmentally sensitive landscapes.
He urged adventure enthusiasts and vehicle owners to avoid entering protected wildlife habitats, warning that such activities disturb endangered species, damage fragile ecosystems and undermine the natural heritage of Ladakh.
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Four separate violations
According to the administration, the most recent incident occurred on June 23, when a Mahindra Thar registered in Punjab was allegedly driven into the waters of Pangong Lake near Merak for stunt purposes. Wildlife officials said the act polluted the lake and damaged a critical wildlife habitat. The vehicle was later seized.
In another case on June 21, authorities intercepted a Hyundai Creta registered in Uttar Pradesh after a video surfaced showing it being driven off-road near Lukung inside the Changthang Cold Desert Wildlife Sanctuary.
Earlier, on June 20, officials acted against another Mahindra Thar from Punjab after social media footage showed it driving through a stream inside the Karakoram (Nubra-Shayok) Wildlife Sanctuary. The vehicle was traced and impounded at Kharu the following day.
In a separate incident on June 17, wildlife officials tracked down a Toyota Fortuner registered in Himachal Pradesh after a viral video allegedly showed it being driven off-road near Nurboo La in the Changthang Cold Desert Wildlife Sanctuary, reportedly while chasing a Tibetan gazelle. The vehicle was located outside a homestay in Hanle and subsequently seized.
All four vehicle owners later paid the prescribed fines to secure the release of their vehicles.
Administration warns of strict action
The Lieutenant Governor reiterated that off-road driving inside or near protected wildlife areas is a punishable offence under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and warned that strict enforcement would continue against anyone found violating environmental regulations.
The administration said the action underscores its commitment to preserving Ladakh’s fragile ecosystem and protecting its unique biodiversity, while urging tourists to enjoy the region responsibly without harming its natural habitats.
