Travel + Leisure - India & South Asia

Through the Lens

Ladakh summons travellers with varied inclinatio­ns. Some like wildlife photograph­er and conservati­onist LATIKA NATH explore the cold, rugged, high-altitude desert for a sight of the elusive snow leopard.

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A stunning photo series from the high-altitude desert of Ladakh offers a glimpse of the elusive snow leopard and other wild creatures.

SNOW LEOPARDS are naturally adapted to tread the steep, rugged mountains of Central Asia with grace. In India, they inhabit some of the highest, most inhospitab­le places in the Himalayas. These big cats are elusive and difficult to spot as they effortless­ly blend into their surroundin­gs—a trick that’s mighty useful in hunting prey. It has also given them the eerie moniker ‘Ghost of the Mountains’.

Despite such amazing adaptation­s, the species is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN-World Conservati­on Union’s Red List of Threatened Species. There are fewer than 8,000 snow leopards estimated to be left in the world. Less than 10 per cent of the Protected Areas are large enough to host a viable population, so it’s essential to combat climate change and developmen­t-induced habitat loss. I had long yearned to see a snow leopard, so I made my way to the Union Territory of Ladakh.

Laden with camera bags, I stepped out of the Leh airport into a clear, cold day. I needed to reach Ulley, which was three hours away by road. En route I stopped to photograph breathtaki­ng landscapes, bird species found at high altitudes, and ibex. The village of Ulley is a testament to the power of involving community in wildlife conservati­on. Many houses have been transforme­d into homestays, and the locals have realised that the economic benefits of phototouri­sm —driven by the snow leopard—far outweigh the occasional loss of livestock to the predator. Many of the villagers are now skilled guides and trackers, while their families look after visitors in the homestays.

Over the next few weeks, we trekked to many of the surroundin­g mountains, observing snow leopards, wolves, ibex, blue sheep, Tibetan foxes, and other species in their natural habitat. Time seemed to fly past as I took countless photograph­s of the mesmerisin­g landscapes and wildlife, including five different snow leopards. Eventually, when I headed back to the plains, I carried with myself a newfound respect for those who survive on these lands. Both, humans and animals.

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 ??  ?? From left: A snow leopard rests after a hearty meal; the greening of Ladakh is changing the ecology of the region.
From left: A snow leopard rests after a hearty meal; the greening of Ladakh is changing the ecology of the region.
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 ??  ?? Clockwise from left: A goosander swims with five chicks in the blue waters of Pangong Tso; a snow leopard stalks some magpies hovering around its kill; the myriad hues of the landscape near Yar La (pass).
Clockwise from left: A goosander swims with five chicks in the blue waters of Pangong Tso; a snow leopard stalks some magpies hovering around its kill; the myriad hues of the landscape near Yar La (pass).
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 ??  ?? The sun shining through storm clouds lights up a mountain range on the road to Hanle.
The sun shining through storm clouds lights up a mountain range on the road to Hanle.
 ??  ?? Clockwise from above: Travellers leave their prayers inscribed on stones. They believe these are carried by the winds to the gods and protect them on their journey; a young female snow leopard calls out to her mate; a flock of Eurasian magpies, which the locals call cha-thao or katang-putit; the turquoise water of Pangong Tso makes for a dramatic splash of colour against Ladakh’s grey terrain.
Clockwise from above: Travellers leave their prayers inscribed on stones. They believe these are carried by the winds to the gods and protect them on their journey; a young female snow leopard calls out to her mate; a flock of Eurasian magpies, which the locals call cha-thao or katang-putit; the turquoise water of Pangong Tso makes for a dramatic splash of colour against Ladakh’s grey terrain.
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