Infra expansion, tourism, climate change threaten Ladakh’s fragile ecosystems, avian diversity: Report

Srinagar, Sep 1: Ladakh’s fragile ecosystems and rich avian diversity are facing increasing pressure from infrastructure expansion, rising tourist activity, habitat alteration, climate change, exotic plantations, feral dogs and other forms of human interference, a scientific assessment submitted before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has highlighted.
The assessment was prepared by the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON) and Wildlife Institute of India, and submitted before the Principal Bench of the NGT in Original Application No. 1339/2024, following the Tribunal’s directions seeking scientific information on the conservation of bird species and their habitats in Ladakh amid growing concerns over tourism and other activities.
According to the assessment, 464 bird species have been documented in Ladakh, of which 197 are recorded as breeding species. Of these, 87 are resident species that breed in Ladakh and remain in the region throughout the year.
The report underscores Ladakh’s importance for avian conservation, noting that the region falls within the Trans-Himalayan Biogeographic Zone, characterised by extreme climatic conditions, high altitudes and fragile ecosystems with limited natural resources.
Ladakh’s avifauna comprises both resident and migratory species. Besides the 87 resident breeding species, the records include 110 winter visitors and passage migrants, 20 winter visitors/summer migrants, 64 passage migrants and 16 vagrant species. Around 50 species originating from Central Asia and the northern Tibetan Plateau have been recorded as visitors to Ladakh, underlining the region’s importance along migratory routes.
Several high-altitude species characteristic of Ladakh’s unique ecological landscape have also been identified, including the Tibetan Snowcock, Tibetan Partridge, Black-necked Crane, Tibetan Sandgrouse, Himalayan Snowcock, White-browed Tit-Warbler, Brown Accentor and Tibetan Grey-backed Shrike, besides a variety of waterbirds and waders.
A total of 65 bird species recorded in Ladakh have been identified as being of “High Conservation Concern”, including the Yellow-breasted Bushchat, Egyptian Vulture, Steppe Eagle, Pallas’s Fish-Eagle, Saker Falcon, Long-billed Bush Warbler, Common Crane, Black-necked Crane, Eurasian Curlew, Black-tailed Godwit and Ruddy Turnstone.
The Black-necked Crane has been given particular importance in the assessment and is described as an iconic bird of Ladakh. The region is also recognised as an important breeding area for the species. The bird depends on specific high-altitude wetlands and grassland habitats, making it vulnerable to disturbance around its breeding grounds.
Development and infrastructure expansion have emerged as major concerns for Ladakh’s birdlife. According to the assessment, poorly planned infrastructure projects can affect high-altitude wilderness areas by altering and fragmenting habitats.
The proposed geothermal plant at Puga Hot Spring has been cited as an example, with the report noting that the proposed project area provides important habitat for several bird species. Road construction and related infrastructure have also been highlighted as potential sources of disturbance, particularly when roads provide greater access to previously undisturbed areas.
The spread of exotic tree plantations has emerged as another concern. The report notes that Ladakh is naturally characterised by a largely barren mountain landscape. The introduction of species such as poplar and willow can consequently alter the ecological characteristics of these habitats, potentially influencing native biodiversity.
Feral dogs have been identified as another serious threat. The report notes that feral dog populations prey on small mammals as well as birds, with ground-nesting species like the Himalayan Snowcock, Chukar Partridge and Black-necked Crane being particularly vulnerable.
Tourism has emerged as one of the major concerns. The assessment states that tourist numbers increased from around 2.5 lakh in 2017 to approximately 5.25 lakh in 2024. While recognising tourism as an important contributor to the local economy, the assessment cautions that the growing number of visitors is placing additional pressure on Ladakh’s fragile ecosystems through habitat trampling, waste generation, vehicular movement and wildlife disturbance.
Climate change and global warming have also been identified as major long-term threats. The report highlights the vulnerability of the region’s mountain ecosystems, glaciers and high-altitude habitats to changing climatic conditions. Changes in temperature and precipitation, along with variations in glacier and snow cover, wetland availability and seasonal patterns, can affect the habitats and food resources on which birds depend.
For migratory birds, even relatively small changes in the availability or seasonal timing of wetland resources could have significant consequences.
The assessment notes that Ladakh already has several major protected areas, including Hemis National Park, Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary and Karakoram (Nubra-Shyok) Wildlife Sanctuary. However, the report cautions that protected-area status alone may not be sufficient to address all conservation threats, particularly when pressures originate outside protected boundaries or when activities in surrounding areas affect ecological connectivity.
The assessment consequently underscores the need for continued habitat protection, species-level monitoring and careful regulation of developmental and tourism activities to safeguard Ladakh’s distinctive avian diversity and fragile high-altitude ecosystems. (KNO)