Leh: The Department of Forest, Ecology and Environment of the Union Territory of Ladakh, in collaboration with the Fire and Fury Corps of the Indian Army, celebrated World Wildlife Day 2026 with a seminar focusing on medicinal and aromatic plants at Rinchen Auditorium in Leh.
The event was organised under the global theme “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods,” highlighting the importance of biodiversity in supporting traditional knowledge systems, local livelihoods, and ecological sustainability.
Chief Secretary Highlights Need for Ecological Balance
The programme was attended by Ashish Kundra as the Chief Guest. In his address, the Chief Secretary emphasized that Ladakh’s rich biodiversity reflects the long-standing harmony between local communities and nature.
He stressed the need to maintain a careful balance between development and environmental conservation, particularly in fragile Himalayan ecosystems. Kundra also pointed out emerging environmental challenges such as unregulated tourism, feral dog management, water scarcity, and waste disposal, calling for stronger institutional collaboration and greater community participation.
He also suggested exploring the possibility of hosting an international wildlife conference in Ladakh to encourage global cooperation in conservation efforts.
Exhibition and Wildlife Initiatives Launched
During the event, the Chief Secretary inaugurated an exhibition showcasing Ladakh’s “Big Seven” Schedule-I wildlife species, along with a Sowa Rigpa herbarium display of native medicinal plants and eco-friendly felt products developed by the Snow Leopard Conservancy India Trust.
A special postal cancellation was released in collaboration with the India Post, and a toll-free wildlife helpline number was launched to encourage public participation in conservation initiatives.
Army Reaffirms Commitment to Biodiversity Conservation
Rajesh S, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden of UT Ladakh, attended the programme as Guest of Honour. He highlighted the discovery of a new bird record for Ladakh and stressed the need to protect the Trans-Himalayan ecosystem from challenges such as climate change, glacial retreat, and shifting pastoral landscapes.
Lieutenant General Hitesh Bhalla, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Fire and Fury Corps, reiterated the Indian Army’s commitment to environmental stewardship in Ladakh. He highlighted initiatives such as anti-poaching support, wildlife protection measures, sterilisation drives for feral dogs, and collaborative waste management efforts.
MoU Signed for Snow Leopard Conservation
One of the key highlights of the programme was the exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Fire and Fury Corps and the UT Ladakh administration to strengthen collaborative snow leopard conservation efforts.
This partnership reflects a growing civil–military collaboration aimed at protecting Ladakh’s fragile ecosystem and iconic wildlife species.
Rare Bird Record Announced
During the event, Padma Gyalpo, Regional Coordinator of the Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) eBird Project, presented the first recorded sighting in Ladakh and the second record in India of the bird species Lapland Longspur, documented during the census conducted with Wetlands International South Asia.
Experts Discuss Conservation and Sustainable Livelihoods
A special lecture was delivered by Dr Sejal Worah from World Wide Fund for Nature India. She praised the collaboration between the Indian Army and the UT administration as a model for conservation across the country.
She also highlighted the need to protect fragile Himalayan ecosystems, support traditional livelihoods, and ensure that local communities play a central role in policymaking.
Recognition for Community Conservation Efforts
The programme also honoured community groups and wildlife conservationists for their contributions, including Ama Tsogspa Hanupata for juniper protection and the Brown Bear Trust, Kargil, for their dedicated wildlife conservation efforts.
Technical Seminar on Medicinal Plants and Biodiversity
Following the inaugural session, a technical seminar was held focusing on the sustainable use of medicinal and aromatic plants.
Experts from institutions including the National Institute of Sowa Rigpa, University of Ladakh, Nature Conservation Foundation, and the Snow Leopard Conservancy India Trust discussed topics such as pastoral livelihoods, wild edible plants, and biodiversity conservation strategies.
The programme also included discussions on wildlife-friendly infrastructure planning, training sessions for Army personnel on the PARIVESH portal of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and workshops on biodiversity hotspots across Ladakh’s wildlife sanctuaries.
The event concluded with a reaffirmation by the UT administration to strengthen conservation efforts through collaboration, public awareness, and sustainable environmental practices.
