Executive Summary:
This document addresses human-wildlife conflict in Ladakh, specifically concerning snow leopards and wild yaks, and outlines the compensation schemes available for livestock loss. It details the existing Protected Areas and wildlife corridors, and reports on current rescue and rehabilitation centers. The information was provided to the Lok Sabha on August 4, 2025.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Human-Wildlife Conflict:**
* No human casualties have been reported in Ladakh due to wild animal attacks.
* Livestock losses due to wild animal attacks have occurred, with the following numbers reported:
* 2022-23: 424 attack cases, 1577 livestock killed
* 2023-24: 402 attack cases, 1093 livestock killed
* 2024-25: 447 attack cases, 1380 livestock killed
* **Compensation Schemes:**
* Ex-gratia compensation schemes are in place for livestock loss, human death, and injury caused by wildlife in Ladakh.
* There is no compensation scheme for crop damage caused by wildlife.
* Chainlink fencing is being provided to local communities to protect agricultural lands.
* **Protected Areas and Wildlife Corridors:**
* Three Protected Areas exist in Ladakh: Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary, Karakoram Nubra-Shyok Wildlife Sanctuary, and Hemis High Altitude National Park.
* No specific wildlife corridors have been formally notified.
* Natural movement corridors exist between Protected Areas and adjoining habitats.
* **Wildlife Research and Rehabilitation:**
* Rescue and Rehabilitation Centres are operational in Leh and Kargil.
* No proposal to establish a wildlife research and rehabilitation centre in Ladakh has been received by the Ministry as of August 4, 2025.
Impact Analysis:
* **Local Residents of Ladakh:**
* Impact: Affected by livestock losses and potential human-wildlife conflict. Benefit from compensation schemes for livestock loss, injury, or death and crop protection measures.
* Action Required: Report incidents of livestock loss or human-wildlife conflict to the Administration of Union Territory Ladakh to avail compensation.
* **Farmers in Ladakh:**
* Impact: Experience crop damage due to wildlife. Benefit from chainlink fencing provided to protect agricultural lands.
* Action Required: Coordinate with the Department of Wildlife Protection, Union Territory of Ladakh, to obtain chainlink fencing for crop protection.
* **Department of Wildlife Protection, Union Territory of Ladakh:**
* Impact: Responsible for managing human-wildlife conflict and wildlife conservation.
* Action Required: Continue providing chainlink fencing, managing rescue and rehabilitation centers, and administering compensation schemes.
* **Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change:**
* Impact: Oversees wildlife conservation efforts and addresses related issues.
* Action Required: Continue monitoring the situation in Ladakh and consider proposals for establishing a wildlife research and rehabilitation center, if received.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: The Indian government ministry responsible for environmental protection and climate change.
Ladakh: A Union Territory in India, focus of the wildlife conflict and conservation efforts discussed.
Snow Leopards: A wildlife species involved in human-wildlife conflict in Ladakh.
Wild Yaks: A wildlife species involved in human-wildlife conflict in Ladakh.
Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary: A protected area (PA) located in the Union Territory of Ladakh.
Karakoram NubraShyok Wildlife Sanctuary: A protected area (PA) located in the Union Territory of Ladakh.
Hemis High Altitude National Park: A protected area (PA) located in the Union Territory of Ladakh.
Department of Wildlife Protection, Union Territory of Ladakh: The department responsible for wildlife protection in Ladakh.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2368.
TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.08.2025
Wildlife Research and Rehabilitation Centre in Ladakh
2368. SHRI MOHMAD HANEEFA:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to
state:
(a) whether the Government is aware of increasing instances of human wildlife
conflict in Ladakh, especially involving snow leopards and wild yaks;
(b) if so, the details of compensation schemes available for loss of livestock or
damage to crops due to wildlife attack in Ladakh;
(c) whether any wildlife corridors or eco-sensitive zones have been identified in the
region and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) whether there is any proposal to establish a wildlife research and rehabilitation
centre in Ladakh, if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE
CHANGE
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) and (b) No human causality has been reported due to attack by wild animals in
Ladakh as per the information given by Union Territory Administration of
Ladakh. Livestock loss due to attack by wild animals during the last three
years is as under:
Financial No. livestock No. of livestock
Year attack cases killed
2022-23 424 1577
2023-24 402 1093
2024-25 447 1380
The Administration of Union Territory Ladakh has notified ex-gratia
compensation schemes for cases of livestock loss, human death, and injury
caused by wildlife. These schemes aim to provide immediate relief to local
residents affected by human-wildlife conflict.Further, there is currently no compensation scheme for crop damage caused
by wildlife. However, the Department of Wildlife Protection, Union
Territory of Ladakh, is actively working to safeguard agricultural lands by
providing chain-link fencing to local communities. This intervention is
designed to reduce crop depredation and support the livelihoods of farmers
residing in Protected Areas.
(c) and (d) There are three Protected Areas (PAs) in the Union Territory of Ladakh:
i. High Altitude Cold Desert (Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary)
ii. Karakoram (Nubra-Shyok) Wildlife Sanctuary
iii. Hemis High Altitude National Park
No specific wildlife corridors have been formally notified in Ladakh.
However, given the unique and fragile highaltitude landscape of the region
and the free-ranging nature of wildlife such as snow leopards, Tibetan
antelope (chiru), wild yak, and other migratory species, natural movement
corridors do exist across the landscape, particularly between these Protected
Areas and adjoining habitats, including transboundary areas.
To strengthen wildlife conservation efforts, Rescue and Rehabilitation
Centres are currently operational in both Leh and Kargil districts of the
Union Territory of Ladakh, providing essential care to injured wild animals
before safely releasing them back into their natural habitats.
No proposal to establish a wildlife research and rehabilitation centre in
Ladakh has been received by the Ministry as on date.
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