Wildlife Week 2026 Begins in Ladakh with Community-Led Cleanliness Drives.

Wildlife Week 2026 Begins in Ladakh with Community-Led Cleanliness Drives.
Theme: “Connecting Habitats, Thriving Wildlife”
Leh, Ladakh | 2 October 2026: The Department of Forest, Ecology and Environment, UT Ladakh, marked the beginning of Wildlife Week 2026 with a series of community-focused activities under the theme “Connecting Habitats, Thriving Wildlife.” The celebrations, being observed from 2 to 8 October 2026, aim to strengthen awareness about wildlife conservation, environmental cleanliness and community participation across the Union Territory.
The first day of Wildlife Week was marked by cleanliness drives across important wildlife areas and protected landscapes, bringing together frontline wildlife personnel, Environmental Protection Force (EPF) personnel, wildlife stewards and local community members. The initiative highlighted the close relationship between clean habitats, healthy ecosystems and the long-term conservation of Ladakh’s wildlife.
Community Action Across Protected Areas In the Hemis National Park landscape, a cleanliness drive was undertaken at Shang, an important snow leopard zone. The activity encouraged local participation and reinforced the message that safeguarding wildlife also requires protecting the natural spaces shared by people and wildlife.
In the Changthang Cold Desert Wildlife Sanctuary, cleanliness drives were conducted at locations including Durbuk, Lalok and the Pangong area. Wildlife Guards, EPF personnel and wildlife stewards participated in collecting waste, with the collected material at Durbuk being taken to the designated segregation site.
Similar community-based action was undertaken in the Karakoram Nubra-Shyok Wildlife Sanctuary, including the Diskit Nubra Sand Dunes and other locations in the Nubra landscape. Wildlife Guards,
stewards, EPF personnel and villagers participated in the drive, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a clean environment for both wildlife and local communities.
Awareness through Wildlife Photography Exhibition
As part of the first-day awareness activities, a wildlife photography exhibition was also organised at Leh Market. The exhibition showcased Ladakh’s diverse wildlife and natural landscapes, providing an accessible platform for residents and visitors to engage with the region’s biodiversity and understand the importance of responsible coexistence with wildlife. The exhibition also marked the public launch of Wildlife Week 2026 in Leh.
Collective Responsibility for Wildlife Conservation
The first-day activities underscored that wildlife conservation is a shared responsibility requiring sustained participation from government agencies, frontline staff, local communities, visitors and other stakeholders. In an ecologically sensitive high-altitude region such as Ladakh, responsible waste management and environmentally conscious practices are particularly important for maintaining the integrity of wildlife habitats.
The Department of Forest, Ecology and Environment, UT Ladakh, expressed appreciation for the active participation and cooperation of village communities, the Ladakh Pollution Control Committee (LPCC), Wildlife Department, Environment Protection Force and field personnel in the first-day activities. The Department reiterated its commitment to strengthening community-based conservation, environmental awareness and collaborative action across Ladakh.
The Wildlife Week celebrations will continue through 8 October 2026 with further activities intended to foster greater public understanding of wildlife conservation and encourage communities, particularly young people, to become active partners in protecting Ladakh’s unique natural heritage.