Life On The Edge - Ladakh

Most tourists head to Ladakh to conquer its terrain and witness its picturesque landscapes. But this cold, high-altitude desert is home to a wide variety of animals and birds too. Wildlife photographer, conservationist, and our A-List member, Latika Nath captures the dazzling biodiversity of the region and makes a case for saving their dramatic habitat.

- Latika Nath

THE FIRST TIME I visited Ladakh was in the 1970s. It was enchantment at first sight. I have gone back many times over the years. After being house-bound for most part of the pandemic, I headed back to Ladakh once more, for a month.

I needed to be in the mountains and assess what was happening there. Ladakh has some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the world. Majestic mountains soar into the sky suspended in blue—the lakes at their feet and wreaths of clouds at their summit.

Amid the rocky outcrops are incredible birds and animals that are seldom seen. I travelled across the mountains searching for species that I had only heard of. Two things struck me immediately: the misguided efforts to ‘green’ the valleys of Ladakh have been successful.