In Ladakh, in a landmark moment for wildlife conservation and tourism in Ladakh, a Snow Leopard was sighted with its kill, an Ibex, in the Sangrah area of Suru Valley, Kargil, for the first time in March this year. The rare sighting was documented by wildlife explorer Maqbool Hussain Moqudasi, who has long been involved in tracking rare wildlife species in the region.

Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC Kargil, Dr. Mohd Jaffer Akhoon, has congratulated the Wildlife Department and Maqbool Hussain for this significant breakthrough. Dr. Akhoon revealed that out of 477 Snow Leopards in Ladakh, 127 have been identified in Kargil alone. He said the sighting highlights the rich biodiversity of the region and opens new avenues for eco-tourism and employment.

Suru Valley, recently featured among National Geographic’s Top 25 Global Destinations, is gaining attention as a potential hub for sustainable wildlife tourism.

Wildlife explorer Mr. Moqudasi termed the discovery a historic moment for Suru Valley and emphasised the need for responsible tourism to protect the region’s fragile ecosystem.
Experts believe the development will attract wildlife researchers, photographers, and eco-tourists from across the globe, further establishing Kargil as a biodiversity-rich destination.