They said that while the cases of such illegal off-roading and stunts have been on the rise in recent times in Ladakh, it is for the first time that such strict penalty has been imposed on the miscreants.
In the instant cases, all four vehicles were impounded by the officials after a thorough investigation and the vehicles were released only after the penalty was paid, the officials said.
They said the action follows a series of violations detected by wildlife officials during routine patrolling and through social media surveillance and reported to the LG Secretariat. The violations were reported at four separate locations under the Leh Wildlife Division-Merak and Lukung along the ecologically sensitive shores of Pangong lake, Nurboo La in Hanle, and Sumur in Nubra Valley.
LG Saxena reiterated that while Ladakh warmly welcomes visitors from across the country and the world, tourists must be responsible and environmentally conscious.
He urged tourists, adventure enthusiasts and vehicle owners not to venture into protected wildlife habitats, as such activities disturb endangered species and damage fragile ecosystems and also harm the sanctity of the tourist places.
In the latest incident, the officials said that on June 23, wildlife staff detected a Mahindra Thar (Punjab registration number) being driven off-road near Merak into the waters of the Pangong lake. The driver had deliberately driven the vehicle into the water for stunt purposes, causing damage to critical wildlife habitat and polluting the lake.
The driver was found prima facie guilty under the Wildlife (Protection) Act and later, the vehicle was seized.
Similarly, on June 21, wildlife authorities acted swiftly after a video surfaced showing a Hyundai Creta (UP number) engaged in off-road driving near Lukung along Pangong lake within the Changthang Cold Desert Wildlife Sanctuary. The vehicle was intercepted at Zingral, Changla Pass, the same day and impounded.
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