essay on sustainable tourism in ladakh

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Sustainable Tourism

Ladakh Sustainable Tourism: Balancing Economic Development and Environmental Preservation

Ladakh Sustainable Tourism: Ladakh, a region located in the northernmost part of India, is known for its stunning landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and unique biodiversity. However, the rapid growth of tourism in recent years has led to concerns about the impact on the environment, local communities, and traditional culture. In response, Ladakh has taken steps towards sustainable tourism practices that balance economic development with environmental preservation. This article will explore the sustainable tourism practices in Ladakh and how they contribute to the region’s conservation efforts.

Background on Tourism in Ladakh : Ladakh has seen a significant increase in tourism in recent years, with visitors drawn to the region’s natural beauty, adventure activities, and cultural heritage. However, the rapid growth of tourism has also brought challenges, including pressure on the region’s fragile ecosystem, strain on resources, and impacts on local culture and communities. To address these challenges, Ladakh has adopted sustainable tourism practices that prioritize environmental conservation and cultural preservation.
Conservation Efforts : Ladakh is home to unique biodiversity, including rare and endangered species such as snow leopards, Tibetan antelopes, and Himalayan wolves. The region’s delicate ecosystem is under threat from climate change, overgrazing, and human activities. To address these challenges, Ladakh has implemented several conservation initiatives. These include the establishment of national parks and wildlife reserves, conservation of wetlands and water resources, and the promotion of eco-tourism activities that raise awareness about conservation efforts.
Community Involvement : Local communities in Ladakh are an integral part of the region’s cultural heritage and play a vital role in conservation efforts. Sustainable tourism in Ladakh involves engaging and empowering local communities, promoting their cultural heritage, and providing economic benefits through responsible tourism practices. Community-based tourism initiatives, such as homestays and cultural tours, provide visitors with an authentic experience of Ladakhi culture while supporting local businesses and generating income for communities.
Responsible Tourism Practices : Responsible tourism practices are an essential part of sustainable tourism in Ladakh. These practices include minimizing waste and promoting recycling, conserving energy and water resources, and respecting local customs and traditions. Visitors are encouraged to participate in eco-tourism activities that promote conservation efforts, such as wildlife tours and trekking, while avoiding activities that harm the environment, such as littering and damaging natural resources.
Waste Management : Waste management is a significant challenge in Ladakh due to the region’s remote location and limited infrastructure. However, sustainable tourism practices have addressed this issue through waste segregation and recycling programs, responsible waste disposal practices, and public education campaigns that promote responsible tourism practices.
Ecotourism : Eco-tourism is an essential component of sustainable tourism. Visitors can experience the region’s unique biodiversity and cultural heritage while contributing to conservation efforts. Eco-tourism activities such as trekking, camping, and wildlife tours provide opportunities for visitors to engage with the natural environment and raise awareness about the need to protect it.

Conclusion : Sustainable tourism practices in Ladakh have demonstrated the potential for economic development and environmental preservation to coexist. Conservation efforts, community involvement, responsible tourism practices, waste management, and eco-tourism initiatives are crucial components of sustainable tourism. By promoting these practices, Ladakh can continue to develop its tourism industry while preserving its natural beauty, cultural heritage, and unique biodiversity for future generations.

Sustainable Tourism in Ladakh: An Overview

Sustainable tourism is a form of tourism that seeks to minimize the negative impact of tourism on the environment, society, and economy while maximizing the positive impact. In Ladakh, sustainable tourism practices involve:

Conserving the region’s natural and cultural heritage
Encouraging responsible tourism behavior
Promoting local economic development
Minimizing the environmental impact of tourism
Conservation of Ladakh’s Natural and Cultural Heritage

Ladakh is home to a rich and diverse ecosystem that includes high-altitude desert, alpine meadows, and snow-capped mountains. To ensure the preservation of this fragile ecosystem, it is essential to adopt conservation measures that protect the region’s biodiversity and natural resources.

Some of the conservation measures that have been implemented in Ladakh include:

Protecting wildlife habitats : Ladakh is home to several endangered species, such as the snow leopard, Himalayan black bear, and Tibetan antelope. To protect these species and their habitats, the Ladakh Wildlife Conservation Trust has been established to promote conservation awareness and research.
Promoting eco-friendly practices : To minimize the environmental impact of tourism, eco-friendly practices such as recycling, energy conservation, and water conservation are promoted. Tourists are encouraged to minimize their carbon footprint and adopt responsible tourism behavior.
Protecting cultural heritage : Ladakh is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, which includes ancient monasteries, traditional architecture, and vibrant festivals. To preserve this heritage, efforts have been made to protect cultural sites and promote traditional art and craft.
Encouraging Responsible Tourism Behavior

Responsible tourism behavior involves respecting local customs, minimizing the impact of tourism on the environment, and supporting the local economy. To encourage responsible tourism behavior in Ladakh, various measures have been implemented, including:

Educating tourists : Tourists are educated about the local customs and environmental conservation practices. This includes providing information on waste management, water conservation, and cultural sensitivity.
Regulating tourism activities : Trekking and mountaineering activities are regulated to ensure that they are carried out in an environmentally responsible manner. This includes limiting the number of trekkers in certain areas, enforcing a code of conduct for trekkers, and ensuring that all trekking companies operate in an environmentally responsible manner.
Supporting local communities : To promote local economic development, tourists are encouraged to purchase locally made handicrafts, stay in locally run homestays, and support local businesses.
Promoting Local Economic Development

Tourism can be a significant source of income for local communities, but it is important to ensure that the benefits of tourism are distributed equitably and sustainably. In Ladakh, efforts have been made to promote local economic development through sustainable tourism practices, including:

Community-based tourism : Community-based tourism involves the participation of local communities in the tourism industry. This includes the development of homestays, cultural tours, and handicrafts that provide economic benefits to local communities while promoting cultural exchange.
Sustainable agriculture : Agriculture is an important source of livelihood in Ladakh, but traditional farming practices are often unsustainable. To promote sustainable agriculture, initiatives have been launched to encourage the use of organic farming techniques and promote the cultivation of traditional crops.
Ecotourism : Ecotourism involves tourism activities that promote the conservation of natural and cultural resources while providing economic benefits to local communities. In Ladakh, ecotourism activities such as wildlife safaris, bird watching, and nature walks are popular among tourists.
Minimizing the Environmental Impact of Tourism

Tourism can have a significant impact on the environment, particularly in fragile ecosystems such as Ladakh. To minimize the environmental impact of tourism, sustainable tourism practices have been implemented, including:

Waste management : Waste management is a significant challenge in Ladakh, particularly during the peak tourism season. To address this, initiatives have been launched to promote waste segregation, recycling, and the use of eco-friendly products.
Energy conservation : Ladakh is dependent on diesel generators for electricity, which is not only expensive but also environmentally damaging. To promote energy conservation, initiatives have been launched to promote the use of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power.
Water conservation : Water scarcity is a significant problem in Ladakh, particularly in the summer months. To promote water conservation, initiatives have been launched to promote rainwater harvesting, wastewater treatment, and the use of water-efficient technologies.

Conclusion:

Sustainable practices are essential for the long-term development of tourism. By adopting sustainable practices that promote responsible tourism behavior, conserve the region’s natural and cultural heritage, promote local economic development, and minimize the environmental impact of tourism, Ladakh can ensure the sustainable development of its tourism industry while preserving its unique natural and cultural heritage.

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A Bottom-Up Approach for Sustainable Cultural Tourism in Ladakh: An Initiative Taken by Women and Homestays

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First Online: 02 March 2024
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Skalzang Dolma 25 &
Ashwani Kumar 25

Part of the book series: Advances in Science, Technology & Innovation ((ASTI))

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The International Conference on Cultural Sustainable Tourism

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Tourism industry is considered an important sector for economic development. The notion of tourism is not entirely new; it has been popular since the dawn of civilization. Earlier the movement of people was either for pilgrimage or in the quest to know the geographical landscapes. During the 1960s and 1970s, this industry started developing at a rapid rate and the primary reason for the movement of tourism was to visit the different regions to experience different cultures and nature and also to visit historical sites, religions, and places. A similar case is also seen in Ladakh, a Trans-Himalayan region in northwestern India. The region is known for drawing tourist attractions (both international and domestic). Tourism in Ladakh has seen such a surge in the last two decades that it has become a cause of concern for the ecology, society, and culture. However, the region has adopted a sustainable cultural tourism approach to mitigate potential challenges posed by the recent surge. The present paper aims to study the working of homestays with particular reference to the women’s contribution to community-based rural tourism or maintaining sustainable cultural tourism. For this study, the village of Phyang from Ladakh has been selected as the area has the presence of large numbers of homestays with active women participation. The methods adopted for the study are literature review, participatory observation, and open-ended and close-ended interviews. This study revealed that homestays with women’s participation as a bottom-up approach have been playing a significant role in maintaining sustainable cultural tourism.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to express their gratitude to all the respondents of the village who answered and participated in the interview and without their support this paper would not have been possible. Additionally, we want to express acknowledgement to the Sonam Wangchuk, Founding Director of HIAL (Himalayan Institute of Alternative Learning), for his contribution to this paper.

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Dolma, S., Kumar, A. (2024). A Bottom-Up Approach for Sustainable Cultural Tourism in Ladakh: An Initiative Taken by Women and Homestays. In: Chica-Olmo, J., Vujičić, M., Castanho, R.A., Stankov, U., Martinelli, E. (eds) Sustainable Tourism, Culture and Heritage Promotion. CST 2022. Advances in Science, Technology & Innovation. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-49536-6_5

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Ladakh Ecotourism

Supported by LEHO – Ladakh Environment and Health Organization

Sustainable Tourism

As more regions and countries develop their tourism industry, it produces significant impacts on natural resources, consumption patterns, pollution and social systems.

The need for sustainable/responsible planning and management is imperative for the industry to survive.

What is sustainable tourism?

Sustainable tourism means tourism which is economically viable but does not destroy the resources on which the future of tourism will depend, notably the physical environment and the social fabric of the host community. It develops as quickly as possible, taking account of current accommodation capacity, the local population, and the environment. The development of tourism and new investment in the tourism sector should not detract from tourism itself. New tourism facilities should be integrated with the environment.

WITH GREAT TRAVEL COMES GREAT RESPONSIBILITY

The world is a beautiful place and we want to do our bit to preserve nature so that it can be cherished in coming days. Sustainable tourism does not mean “No fun”. It merely means that one can travel and cherish the places while positively contributing to the conservation of ecosystems, culture and up-liftman of low-income groups. One can explore places both physically and spiritually through responsible tourism.

We are promoters of Eco-Tourism, aimed at conserving the balance of Mother Nature through ecologically sustainable travel.

“Take Nothing but Memories, Leave nothing but footprints!”

– Chief Si ahl

Videography credits : traveldotearth

Why Ladakh needs Sustainable Tourism?

Since the opening of the tourism industry in Ladakh in the year 1974, tourist influx in Ladakh increased every year but after 2007 the number of tourists visiting every year grown beyond expectation. Due to the unique picturesque, distinct culture, wildlife and mesmerizing landscape Ladakh attracts people from different corners of the world. It is one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in India. Every year nearly 300000 to 350000 tourists visit Leh.

While growing tourist numbers have provided a boost to the economy of Ladakh, several issues pertaining to environment, culture and tradition are being noted.

Ladakh is a cold desert that gets its fresh water supply from the melting of the glaciers during the summer. Due to climate change and global warming, the glaciers are shrinking, so is the supply of fresh water from these glaciers in Ladakh. In the coming years, this limited water supply in the region will not be enough to support the heavy demands of tourism and the needs of the local people.

Increase in the number of motorized vehicles (cars/taxis) used to take the tourists to their destinations is affecting the quality of air in this desert that does not have enough green vegetation cover to counter the effects of pollution.

With the growing tourist influx, tourism industry has become a lucrative option for earning money. The youth from the villages is migrating towards the town of Leh city leaving behind the sustainable farming practises that were responsible for making people of villages self-reliant. With less people now engaged in farming, the villages depend on external supply to procure fruits, vegetables, and grains. To meet the local demand, farmers are increasingly becoming dependent on chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

The famous tourist destination such as Pangong Lake and Khardongla pass are facing a big threat because of the mass tourism, lack of waste management and disposal facilities. With the current infrastructure and sewage treatment facilities, Ladakh is also not prepared to tackle the amount of waste and sewage that is being generated due to the increased numbers of tourists in the recent years.

The growing issue and concern can’t just be blamed to the tourist as locals are equally responsible. Seeing the economic boom and potential of the region, commercial establishments mushroomed on the agricultural lands, encroachment on the protected areas thus disturbing wildlife and mounting garbages everywhere.

Pangong Tso Lake, which gained immense popularity after the much acclaimed film Three Idiots, has spiralled up tourism in Ladakh region, in turn, threatening the local wildlife and habitat. Between Leh and Pangong Tso Lake lies Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary where a small patch of green grass is the habitat of Himalayan Marmot, the longest hibernating mammal in the world. Increase number of tourisms attracts poaching of these endangered animals.

The uncontrolled measures and absence of management have massively contributed to the destruction of the fragile eco-system. Tourism industry being the major economic source for the people, focus is needed to make it sustainable.

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Assignment: Climate Change Challenge

Imagining Incredible India: Saving Ladakh through Sustainability

Using the Ladakhi way of life to combat effects of climate change

“There are some parts of the world that, once visited, get into your heart and won’t go. For me, India is such a place. I had been seeing the world in black & white and, when brought face-to-face with India, experienced everything re-rendered in brilliant technicolor” — Keith Bellows, National Geographic

Tourism in India accounts for over 7% of GDP [1]. Ecologically, India is one of most biologically diverse countries with landscapes ranging from the mighty mountains, the humble seas, the enchanting deserts to the lush forests. One such jewel located in the northernmost region of India, is a high altitude desert called Ladakh, also known as moon land. Ladakh is home to about 270,000 people [2] and is known for some of the most beautiful and ancient monasteries located against a magical landscape of high altitude mountains and desert plains. Ladakh by virtue of its location and remoteness is an extremely ecologically sensitive location which opened up to tourism in 1974 when about 500 tourists visited. Today over 200,000 people visit each year during the summer months [3] which has reaped several economic benefits but has created a major strain on the resources of the fragile ecosystem.

[Pic 1: the famous Pangong Tso Lake in Ladakh. Photograph: SOTC.com]

Pathways to Just Digital Future

Even as global nations continue to arrive at a consensus to tackle climate change, nowhere are the effects more visible than in the mountainous region of Ladakh, putting lives here at a great risk. Snowfall has come down significantly (from 3ft to 0.2ft) in the last couple of decades [4] and the glaciers are melting at a higher rate, which is evident from the Siachen glacier whose starting point receded by about a kilometre since 2005 [5]. With about 90 per cent of farmers in Ladakh relying on self-sustaining farming practices [6], irrigation by snow and glacial water is a major contributor to the productivity of agriculture which is at great risk. Rainfall has also become extremely erratic – the region used to receive an average of 15mm which reached 250mm in one hour during the cloud burst in 2010 killing 248 people and causing $30 M of damages [7]. Furthermore, flash floods in the neighboring region of Uttarakhand killed more than 10,000 people and trapped over a 100,000 people raising doubts on the long term sustainability of Ladakh [8].

In order to combat some of these challenges, non-profit organizations such as Ladakh Ecological Development Group (LEDeG), are focusing on promoting sustainable development that harmonize and build on traditional Ladakhi culture. These organizations promote efficient use of groundwater and work with the Ladakhis on localized renewable energy projects such as installation of community based solar power plants which is fed by over 300 days of sunlight. The government has declared the use of electricity for heating to be a ‘social ill’ and people have embraced solar power heating systems [9]. The locals also play their part by resorting to the traditional Ladakhi way of life by leading a very simple lifestyle, using a compost pit for waste and taking a bath only once in 2-3 days in the cold weather [10]. A local engineer known as the “Iceman”, Chewang Norphel has pioneered an innovative solution to water shortage by creating artificial glaciers by using stone embankments to trap snow for later use. These artificial “glaciers” provide water to irrigate farmland when there is not enough water available from natural glaciers [11]. Driving sustainability is a community effort and Ladakhis are trying their best to preserve their beautiful homeland. However there is lots that still needs to be done.

[Pic 3: An artificial glacier made in the form of an ice stupa in Ladakh. Photograph: Secmol.org]

With uncontrolled tourism creating additional strain on the ecological imbalance created by climate change, it is critical that Ladakh strives to become an ecotourism destination. Ecotourism is responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves education of both communities and tourists. Local authorities could learn from other ecotourism destinations such as Bhutan which have committed to “absorbing more carbon than we emit and to remain a net sink for global greenhouse gases”. There could be strict standards and guidelines for how development and tourism in Ladakh should progress, such as limiting the number of tourist arrivals, building green eco-lodges and curbing illegal poaching of exotic wildlife. Taking inspiration from Costa Rica, only those businesses that have a certificate for sustainable tourism should be allowed to operate and fees should be charged to allow maintenance and upkeep of popular tourist attractions. As ecotourism becomes a more conscious effort from global travelers, local communities can take charge to preserve their home.

Just like our little blue planet, Ladakh is one of its kind, and it is up to us to preserve it so we can share it with our future generations. It is high time that we understand that “Plans to protect air and water, wilderness and wildlife are in fact plans to protect man” – Stewart Udall

(800 words)

[1] Knoema Data. Retrieved from https://knoema.com/atlas/India/topics/Tourism/Travel-and-Tourism-Total-Contribution-to-GDP/Total-Contribution-to-GDP-percent-share

[2] Wikipedia. Retrieved https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ladakh

[3] Official Leh Tourism. Retrieved from http://leh.nic.in/depts/tour/def.html

[4] Down to Earth. Retrieved from http://www.downtoearth.org.in/coverage/warning-from-leh-1872

[5] The Hindu newspaper. Retrieved from http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/climate-change-is-changing-landscape-of-ladakh-glacier-man-chewang-norphel/article7927780.ece

[6] Reach Ladakh. Retrieved from http://www.reachladakh.com/impact-of-climate-change-on-agriculture-in-ladakh/2292.html

[7] Tehelka Media company. Retrieved from http://www.tehelka.com/2013/06/climate-change-dries-up-water-in-ladakh/

[8] Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_North_India_floods

[9] Dromomaniacs by Edward Hewitt. Retrieved from http://www.dromomaniacs.com/article/4-lessons-for-sustainable-development-from-leh-ladakh/

[10] SouthAsia News. Retrieved from http://southasia.oneworld.net/peoplespeak/tourism-becomes-a-major-ecological-concern-in-ladakh#.WBzsvyQXsu_

[11] The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/feb/24/artificial-glacier-could-help-ladakh-villagers-adapt-to-climate-change

Student comments on Imagining Incredible India: Saving Ladakh through Sustainability

One of the issues which places such as Ladakh is that while they do not contribute significantly to environmental damage, they are a major victim – this skewed cause-effect profile for them, and similar but inverted for others, creates wrong incentive structures and is one of the major complications in environment control. For instance, someone emitting greenhouse gases in another country will have little but tangible effect on Ladakh and hence may not bother about conserving its climate.

I agree with Siddharth that Ladakh is an unfortunate victim of externalities from pollution from elsewhere. To complicate matters even further for Ladakh, I wonder if its people are in a position to turn away tourism business that is not in line with their ecotourism standards. In the IKEA case that we studied, one of IKEAs options was to increase the requirements on their wood suppliers, and since they were such a large corporation, they likely had enough leverage to make this happen. However, my fear is that if Ladakh raises its standards too high, it will turn away tourism – something that goes a long way to supporting the local economy.

This article perfectly highlights a global conundrum: those who pay the price for human-driven climate change are often not those who drove it. It saddens me that the Ladakh people are suffering so acutely from climate change, and I feel pessimistic as to whether any mitigation strategies will be sufficient to avoid eventual relocation by the Ladakh people. Your point on the detrimental effects of tourism to a fragile habitat is a guilt that I struggle with. As Johnson said in class the other day, it’s impossible to measure something without affecting it; I likewise feel that it’s impossible to visit a place without changing it, and as much as I love to travel, I hate knowing that my existence there will leave it different than I found it. I don’t know that ecotourism is even the best answer. Maybe places that are radically impacted by tourism should operate on a permit system, with a threshold to limit overall visits. Regardless, I feel for the Ladakh people, and am inspired by their efforts to sustain their way of life despite the high obstacles in their path.

Stakeholders’ role in Sustainable Tourism Development: A Case Study of North East and Ladakh

Tourism acts as a backbone for majority of nations especially the growing economies while the adverse impacts of tourism on the environment and the socio-cultural are not ignorable. The tourism sector, if driven well in the right direction, can play a holistic process of economic, social and environmental sustenance aswell as development. Sustainable form of tourism not only ensures the profitable income but also contribute in employment for local stakeholders as well as local community with its minimal stress on environment and traditional value system. To understand the concept of sustainable development and its contributiontowards local community development for Himalayan Indian States, the case studies of North Eastern region and Northern most Himalayan Region of Ladakh arewell-suited. Furthermore, the present study is also an attempt to address the key determinants of sustainability of tourism industry in the North Eastern India and to establish the importance of local entrepreneurship or local community participation in ensuring sustainable tourism development. It focuses on three major aspects of tourism industry like sustenance including region-specific sustainability considerations; entrepreneurial awareness towards sustainability and suggestive measures to ensure sustainable norms in tourism development in the region.

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In this fragile landscape, Ladakh’s ecolodges help sustain a way of life

These five properties aim to provide eco-friendly and sustainable stays in this mountain region dealing with overtourism and environmental decline.

Stok Palace set against a backdrop of mountains.

Hotelier Rigzin Namgyal fondly remembers a time when only the truly curious and adventurous made their way to Ladakh . When this region in north India opened to tourists in the mid-1970s, just a few backpackers each year undertook the long and arduous journey by road, over dangerous mountain passes from Manali in the neighboring state of Himachal Pradesh.

“They were invested in learning about our history and culture, our flora and fauna,” says Namgyal. “They were ready to get out of their comfort zone, and stay in local homes for that experience.”

But after a 2009 Bollywood blockbuster shone a spotlight on this region’s stunning landscapes—and several airlines launched short haul from New Delhi , Ladakh has been overrun by tourists. Almost overnight, guesthouses and tour operators sprung up haphazardly, without proper planning or regulation, taking a toll on the fragile high-altitude desert ecosystem.

A view of Leh, the capital of Ladakh, as seen from Leh Palace.

Cradled by the Karakoram and Himalaya mountain ranges, this once remote Shangri-la —with its high mountain passes, turquoise lakes, and Mahayana Buddhist monasteries—has become an Instagram-able weekend getaway.

( Thousands of Buddhist temples filled this sacred skyline .)

“Now we have more tourists, but they are not interested in what Ladakh has to offer in terms of culture or adventure. They just want to take photos at Pangong Lake or ride a camel at Nubra Valley, and go home without really seeing anything,” says Rigzin Kalon, who has built a boutique hotel on his ancestral land in Nubra.

Snow leopard conservationist Behzad Larry says that Ladakh has gone from being a land with subsistence farming, zero plastic, and dry compost toilets, to being an ecological nightmare . With noxious fumes from clogged landfills, depleted groundwater levels, and unprecedented flash floods , the damage to local ecosystems far outweighs any economic benefit to local communities.

But even in the midst of the building frenzy that is producing newer and larger hotels every season, there is hope in the form of ecolodges and boutique hotels, set up and run by people committed to conservation and community. This has meant a return to traditional architecture built using the rammed earth technique, and with locally available stone, and wood known to keep homes insulated in winter, unlike the modern cement and concrete structures .

These activists aim to preserve a dying way of life and direct tourist attention away from the obvious “attractions,” freeing them up from congestion. There is also a focus on imparting livelihood skills to young people, to halt the migration from small villages to already overcrowded cities like Leh or Delhi.

Kalon says that the training programs are often tailored for women, since “compared to other parts of India, Ladakhi women have more say within the family, and are the primary decision makers. So, if I can help the women, then the money [they earn] is going in the right direction, towards education and development.”

Where to stay

Stok Palace : The royal Namgyal family is still in residence within their 200-year-old palace, with a part of it converted into a boutique hotel with just a few rooms. With its carefully preserved wall murals and thoughtfully curated family heirlooms, Stok Palace is an excellent specimen of vernacular architecture, built entirely by local craftsmen. Apart from sponsoring the education of village kids, the family also supports and showcases traditional craft and culture in the form of art, music and dance, and weaving.

Lchang Nang : Translated as “house of trees,” this almost entirely solar-powered homestay is set inside an orchard in a small village in Nubra Valley. Owner Rigzin Kalon says their aim is to provide a complete ecotourism experience, and a glimpse into local cuisine, culture, and crafts. Apart from nature activities like stargazing and mountain biking, guests get a chance to visit local homes, have barley tea in their kitchens, and learn the nuances of Ladakhi cooking.

The 1000-year-old monastery at Lamayuru glowing at twilight

Lungmar Remote Camp : This wildlife camp is owned and operated by conservationists and expert trackers Dorjay Stanzin and Abdul Rashid. Behzad Larry, who handles their sales, says, “Responsible tourism reduces human-nature conflict and protects not just the snow leopards but their entire ecosystems as well.” With a conscious decision to lighten the load on the land, the owners have opened another camp in a neighboring village, instead of adding more rooms to the existing camp.

Ladakh Sarai : Tara Mountain Sarai, located in the wild and remote Zanskar Valley, is the latest boutique property from Ladakh Sarai. Building on the idea of “fewer rooms and a better experience,” owner Rigzin Namgyal has spread his camps across Ladakh, from mud chalets just outside Leh to luxury tents on the banks of Pangong Lake and within Nubra Valley. Namgyal affirms his commitment to water management, and is working towards zero use of fossil fuels across his properties.

Himalayan Farmstays : To experience authentic Ladakhi life, choose one of these homestays set up by the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh (HIAL). You get to sample uniquely Ladakhi dishes like crusty khambir wheat bread and chu-tagir (noodle soup with meat and vegetables), while dining along with the family in the kitchen. Visitors can also help out with the farming on the small piece of land attached to the home. The network now covers two villages: Phyang, close to Leh; and Tarchit, a couple of hours’ drive away.

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Community-based ecotourism in Ladakh promotes positive perceptions of snow leopards

Snow leopards in Ladakh often used to be persecuted by local communities because they preyed on livestock.
With the establishment of the Himalayan Homestay Program, a community-based ecotourism initiative, snow leopards are now seen as valuable and communities are more supportive of their conservation.
To maintain positive perceptions of snow leopards when tourism declines, the Snow Leopard Conservancy-India Trust is educating communities about the intrinsic and ecological values of the snow leopard in combination with other measures.

Catching a glimpse of the famed, elusive snow leopard while trekking the rugged and remote mountains of Ladakh may be a dream come true for wildlife seekers. However, these predators have had a bad rap among local villagers, many of whom often regarded them as pests, because of their tendency to prey on livestock—sometimes killing many in a single incident. As a result, some local livestock herders resorted to retaliatory killings of these cats.

But the perception of snow leopards appear to be changing towards a more positive light, thanks to the establishment of an innovative Himalayan Homestays ecotourism program in the region, reports a new interview-based study. While the program has helped change attitudes, the researchers suggest educating communities on the ecological importance of snow leopards to instill greater value for this keystone species.

“The Himalayan-Homestays Program has been instrumental in changing people’s attitude towards the snow leopard,” said Tsewang Namgail, scientist and director of the Snow Leopard Conservancy-India Trust and co-author of the study. Retaliatory killings have “completely stopped in the villages where we have our ecotourism programs,” he added.

Ironically, “people who used to kill snow leopards in revenge, before our intervention, are today trying to attract the cat to their villages,” he revealed. “This was unthinkable 20 years ago when people wanted the snow leopard as away from them as possible.”

Listed as vulnerable by the International Union of Conservation for Nature (IUCN), around 500 snow leopards ( Panthera uncia ) are found in the Indian Himalayas.

Camera trap image of snow leopards in Ladakh. Photo courtesy of the SLC-IT/Panthera.

To help offset losses from livestock depredation and increase tolerance towards snow leopards, the Himalayan Homestays Program (HHP), was launched in several valleys of Leh by the Snow Leopard Conservancy – India Trust in 2002 providing locals an opportunity to earn an additional source of income by hosting tourists. Locals were trained in housekeeping while youth acquired skills as guides to lead nature tours, which included possible sightings of the charismatic snow leopards.

To find out how the HHP affected local communities’ perceptions of snow leopards, the researchers interviewed 49 villagers in seven Ladakhi villages, four in the western Sham valley and three in the eastern Rong valley. Using qualitative semi-structured interviews that lasted from 15 to 60 minutes, villagers were asked if they were participants of the HHP and the values they placed on wildlife.

The team focused on three types of values: intrinsic, instrumental and economic. Intrinsic values refer to valuing nature even when it doesn’t offer any use to humans whereas aesthetic, spiritual and ecological values comprise instrumental values and economic values are based on money and market transactions.

“Himalayan Homestays, and ecotourism, in general, should provide economic value, but also ideally foster value, beyond economic, for the species itself, if that positive relationship is to persist through fluctuations in the tourism industry,” explained Kate Vannelli, lead author of the study, which was her Master’s dissertation at the University of Kent.

From pests to a source of pride

The results revealed that those who participated in the HHP (19) by hosting visitors felt a higher responsibility for wildlife compared with non-participants. They placed high instrumental value on wildlife, noted by the frequent mentions of the beauty of snow leopards during the interviews as well as a sense of pride and happiness in spotting wildlife in groups. Even those who did not directly participate by hosting visitors but had the HHP established in their community appreciated snow leopards.

Guests of the Himalayan-Homestay Program having tea in a homestay in Zanskar, where SLC-IT has various conservation programs. Photo courtesy of the SLC-IT/Panthera.

In contrast, most villagers in communities without the HHP, or other initiatives, expressed neutral or negative feelings towards wildlife, particularly frustration towards snow leopards, arising mainly from livestock depredation.

As a result, there is potential to transform the negative perceptions to more positive ones if more communities embrace the HHP and wildlife tourism, said Vannelli, director of development for the South Africa-based nonprofit, Global Conservation Corps. But she cautions that this case study is one amongst many conservation interventions, which are dependent on many factors and so “one size certainly does not fit all.”

“Incentives are crucial to change people’s attitudes and build support for conservation,” said Nabin Baral, a research associate at the University of Washington, explaining that they can be material (cash income, jobs, infrastructure, education) or non-material (values for sentient beings, altruism towards lower life forms). “As we know material incentives are finite but non-material incentives are not. While designing conservation programs, it is better if both forms of incentives are taken into consideration,” he stressed.

According to Baral who has studied snow leopard tourism in Nepal, “this study suggests to provide direct benefits at the household level to make snow leopard conservation program successful.” However, he points out that not all households may be willing or equipped to participate and such programs may not work elsewhere because “conservation happens in varied contexts.”

“This new study underscores the significance and potential of such tourism for improving coexistence between local communities and snow leopards,” said Jonny Hanson, managing director of Northern Ireland-based organisation Jubilee. In previous studies, Hanson along with Baral found that tourists in Nepal are “ willing to pay to support snow leopard conservation and that this support is also linked to tourists’ knowledge of snow leopards and their conservation values.”

Maintaining value for snow leopards if tourism drops

Another finding was that when wildlife isn’t the sole reason for income, it appears to hold the highest instrumental value. The team noted that while short-term participants of the HHP (3-7 years) held both instrumental and economic value towards snow leopards, long-term participants valued them mainly economically with a few claiming they may not appreciate snow leopards if tourism stopped.

Tsewang Namgail, director of the Snow Leopard Conservancy India Trust, discussing environmental issues in Ladakh with the Buddhist Scholars of Ladakh. Photo courtesy of the SLC-IT/Panthera.

“I was surprised at the clear patterns that emerged throughout the interviews, especially around the level of dependence on tourism, and how this changed the relationship with snow leopards,” Vannelli said. “There seemed to definitely be a ‘sweet spot’ in terms of economic dependence on tourism, and valuation of the snow leopard.”

As people become exclusively dependent on income from tourism, wildlife can become commoditised. “One question that we ask ourselves is whether people will get back to their old ways of persecuting snow leopards if tourism were to decline due to war,” stated Namgail. “Given that we share borders with both China and Pakistan, this has been a sustained concern.”

Baral echoes these concerns, stating that tourism is both seasonal and volatile and, he added, since nature-based tourism focused on snow leopard sightings would occur on a small-scale and is difficult because of their elusive nature, diversified livelihoods are needed.

To preserve positives attitudes towards snow leopards regardless of their value in tourism, Namgail has been educating villagers, monks and youth through workshops since 2013, on the intrinsic and ecological values of the snow leopard.

“Snow leopard[s] can prevent flooding in the mountains. Snow leopards control the population of mountain sheep and goats, thereby preventing overgrazing and consequently enabling water retention by mountain slopes,” he explained. “As villagers have experienced these, they understand these linkages easily.”

Tsewang Namgail, director of the Snow Leopard Conservancy India Trust, educating villagers about the importance of snow leopards in proper ecosystem functioning. Photo courtesy of the SLC-IT/Panthera.

Banner image: Bardan Monastery in Zanskar where SLC-IT regularly conducts environmental workshops. Photo courtesy of the SLC-IT/Panthera.

First published by Mongabay on 11 Mar. 2019

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Published On Jul 31, 2022 at 10:00 AM IST

‘Hanle’ documentary releases on YouTube to promote astro tourism in Ladakh

Located near Hanle at an altitude of 4,500 metre, the Hanley Dark Sky Reserve (HDSR) is a collaboration between UT Ladakh, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Leh, and Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bengaluru and has been set up with an aim to preserve its dark skies as heritage.

Updated On Jul 31, 2022 at 10:00 AM IST

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Sustainable tourism is an alternate approach to mass tourism which reduces negative externalities and collateral damages. This paper explains the challenges and the impact of mass tourism on environment and society in ... Joldan E (1985) wrote essays about Ladakh, which includes an essay on tourism and its impact. The study of Page J (1986 ...
(PDF) Stakeholders' role in Sustainable Tourism Development: A Case
In today's scenario Sustainable tourism is a responsible tourism intending to generate employment and income along with alleviating any deeper impact on environment and local culture. "Tourism destroys Tourism"-has been observed through many case studies like Shimla and Mussoorie. ... Ladakh lies at altitudes ranging from 2,750m to 6,670m ...
INDIAN INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT KOZHIKODE A Paradigm Shifts of Tourism
This paper explains the challenges and the impact of mass tourism on environment and society in Ladakh, and the need to shift towards sustainable tourism for the larger interest of Industry and ...
(PDF) Stakeholders' Role in Sustainable Tourism Development: A Case
It focuses on three major aspects of tourism industry like sustenance including region-specific sustainability considerations; entrepreneurial awareness towards sustainability and suggestive ...
Exploring the new Ladakh: Tourism Vision Document
In 2018, the tourist count in Ladakh crossed three lakh which is higher than the population of this Union Territory. This is why a critical analysis of short- and long-term gains and losses is needed. The Vision Document aims to make Ladakh more self-reliant than self-sufficient. It will recall and strengthen Ladakh's traditional system of agriculture and livestock production, use the latest ...
Can Ladakh Embrace Tourism While Protecting Its Fragile Ecosystem?
Locals are pushing for responsible tourism practices to preserve Ladakh's unique culture and ecosystem. The year 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of tourism in Ladakh. In 1974, when the region was opened up, it got a total of 527 tourists. In 2022-23, the count reached 5,31,000 and 5,25,374, greater than Ladakh's resident population.
PDF Value Chain Mapping of Tourism in Ladakh
2. TOURISM AND ITS VALUE CHAIN IN LADAKH 11 Global Tourism: An Overview 11 Tourism in India: An Overview 12 Tourism in Ladakh: An Overview 14 Tourism Value Chain Analysis for Ladakh 18 3. MAPPING PRO-POOR TOURISM IN LADAKH 21 Key Resources of Himalayan Rangelands 21 Resource Composition and Change 23 Socio-Economic Profile 23 Livestock Impact 24
Eco-friendly places to stay in Ladakh, India
These five properties aim to provide eco-friendly and sustainable stays in this mountain region dealing with overtourism and environmental decline. The Stok Palace Heritage Hotel, in Ladakh, India ...
Community-based ecotourism in Ladakh promotes positive perceptions of
With the establishment of the Himalayan Homestay Program, a community-based ecotourism initiative, snow leopards are now seen as valuable and communities are more supportive of their conservation. To maintain positive perceptions of snow leopards when tourism declines, the Snow Leopard Conservancy-India Trust is educating communities about the ...
Regulations Are Imperative for Sustainable Tourism in Ladakh
To ensure the sustainable development of tourism in Ladakh, stringent regulations are imperative. Without proper oversight, the region risks facing severe water shortages if tourism is allowed to expand indiscriminately. The Dynamic Team Behind Overland Escape. Tundup Dorjey, the Managing Director of Overland Escape emphasizes the importance of ...
Ladakh to promote sustainable tourism
Ladakh to promote sustainable tourism. From focusing on Yak preservation to bituminous roads in the region which will be constructed using plastic, Ladakh is set to promote initiatives, cultural practices and natural resources, that help in maintaining a sustainable balance in the Union Territory. ANI. Published On Jul 31, 2022 at 10:00 AM IST.
Tourism in Ladakh
Ladakh landscape Leh Palace, Leh, Ladakh. Tourism is one of an economic contributor to the union territory of Ladakh in Northern India.The union territory is sandwiched between the Karakoram mountain range to the north and the Himalayas to the south and is situated at the height of 11,400 ft. Ladakh is composed of the Leh and Kargil districts. The region contains prominent Buddhist sites and ...
The toxic love for Ladakh is weighing heavy on its natural resources
Sharing the grim picture of an almost non-existent waste management system in Leh, Vilayat Ali of Pristine Ladakh, who runs a sustainable tourism company, says, "Over 50,000 plastic bottles are used each day in Leh and approximately 16 tonnes of waste generated per day during the tourist season. All this waste goes to an open landfill area ...
Ladakh's lessons of balance
The soothing colour palette of Ladakhi textiles stood out. They are derived from the natural shades of wool of the yaks, sheep, and mountain goats, and come in varying hues of cream, beige, brown ...
Sustainable tourism in Ladakh unfolds gradually
Leh (Ladakh) [India], July 30 (ANI): The Green Ambassador of the Union Territory of Ladakh has undertaken an initiative to promote sustainable development in domestic Yak preservation.
Ladakh Essay
Ladakh Essay. 1086 Words5 Pages. Development is always complicated. Like in other beautiful places on the world, tourism is the Ladakhis biggest issue. At the moment, the presence of thousands of tourists in Ladakh is exerting a huge strain on the region's scare resources. To reduce the negative impact of tourists, lots of measure is being ...
Ladakh All Set To Promote Sustainable Tourism
His Holiness Chetsang Rinpoche, the Green Ambassador of Ladakh, recently launched an initiative to promote sustainable development in the region Updated on: 7 September 2022 10:14 am Updated on: 7 ...