WAJAHAT SHABIR

SRINAGAR: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has been presented with a detailed scientific assessment warning that Ladakh’s exceptionally rich birdlife is facing growing pressure from rapid infrastructure development, expanding tourism, habitat alteration, climate change, exotic plantations, feral dogs and other human-induced disturbances.

The assessment, prepared by the Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON), Wildlife Institute of India, was submitted before the Principal Bench of the NGT in Original Application No. 1339/2024, following the Tribunal’s notice seeking inputs on the conservation of birds in Ladakh in view of multiple threats, including tourism.

The report paints a detailed picture of the Union Territory’s avian diversity, stating that 464 bird species have been recorded from Ladakh, while 197 species are known to breed in the region. Of these, 87 are resident species that breed and remain i...