Tourism threatening wetlands in Ladakh

Global warming coupled with “unplanned tourist activities” are threatening the existence of Himalayan wetlands, particularly those in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir, says an environment expert.

Ladakh has three main high altitude wetlands — Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri and Tokhar.

“Major challenges to the high altitude wetlands of Ladakh include unplanned and unregulated tourism, tourist season coinciding with peak biological activity, tremendous grazing pressure, emerging threat of climate change and lack of coordination among various developmental agencies,” said Pankaj Chandan, India coordinator of the World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) Himalayan High Altitude Wetlands Conservation Project.

He also said that the wetlands not only support the unique biodiversity in the region but are also a source of livelihood for the local communities.

“About 40% of the world’s population is dependent on water coming from Himalayas,” Chandan noted.

The WWF initiative for the conservation and management of Ladakh wetland is that it has started involving Indian troops at the wetland sites.

Himalayan car rallies in wetland areas have also been stopped with the help of travel agencies.