SRINAGAR: The Department of Wildlife Protection in Ladakh has been accredited as the ‘Best Responsible Tourism Project’ for its ecotourism initiative in the area at recently held National Tourism awards.
The organizers appreciated the efforts put in by the Wildlife Protection Department and Leh administration to successfully execute the ecotourism project in Ladakh.
The ecotourism initiative includes programs that minimize the negative aspects of conventional tourism on the environment, and enhance the cultural integrity of local people. An integral part of ecotourism in Ladakh has been the promotion of recycling, effective use of renewable energy, water conservation and creation of economic opportunities for the local communities. These goals have been achieved through expansion of participatory management models across the broad landscape of Ladakh.
Ladakh has seen rapid growth in sustainable tourism with over 700 homestays created with support from the Department of Wildlife Protection. Extensive camping and waste management programs and training of hundreds of local nature and field guides also form part of the Ecotourism Initiative.
AK Singh, IFS Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden, J&K, stated that the initiative is aimed at sustainable use of resources while maximizing local benefits and strengthening linkages between conservation and livelihood security of local communities. He congratulated the Ladakh Wildlife Region, particularly Jigmet Takpa, Chief Conservator and  Intesar Suhail, Wildlife Warden for efficiently implementing the project in Ladakh.

Reader correspondent