7 Ways to Be a Conscious Tourist in Ladakh

Ladakh's popularity as a tourist destination is due to its stunning scenery, untrodden trekking areas, monasteries, and unique flora and fauna. However, over the past 20 years, modernization and tourism have caused extensive damage, including the construction of a high number of hotels, which has strained the already scarce water supply and caused deforestation.
Another major challenge is the overwhelming amount of garbage due to the tourist boom. The influx of visitors has brought economic benefits, but also depleted the area's limited resources, with over 30,000 plastic bottles being added to the city's waste daily in the summer.
Here are some simple things you can do when you are travelling in Ladakh.

Tourists visiting Ladakh often consume a lot of packaged food and bottled water, contributing to the daily disposal of thousands of plastic bottles and food packaging, overwhelming the local waste management infrastructure and resulting in no recycling facilities.
To reduce waste, opt for reusable steel bottles that can be refilled.

Travellers must strictly adhere to not littering when they are visiting Ladakh. Everyone in your group must be responsible for bringing back their waste from the day's trip, especially plastic wrappers, and properly disposing of it in a designated bin.

Instead, opt for local homestays that promote sustainability by producing far less waste than big hotels. Additionally, it can provide a source of livelihood to families which can help them economically.

The exhaust from tourist vehicles contributes to the buildup of harmful gases and black soot that settles on the glaciers, leading to faster melting and exacerbating the water crisis. To help mitigate this problem, it's recommended to use shared taxi services.

Ladakh is home to a unique collection of wild animals from the trans-Himalayan belt. Wildlife tours can help preserve and promote these animals, but it's important to maintain a respectful distance and not harm them. Additionally, visitors should not feed packaged food to wild creatures as this can disrupt their natural behaviours and habitats.

While it may be tempting to write your name or your loved ones' names on public property, it's illegal and reflects poorly on you. Ladakh has many delicate and intricate wall frescos and paintings in its monasteries that should not be defaced. If you wish to take photos, please ask for permission from the caretaker first.

Although Leh may seem similar to other cities, the villages in Ladakh still maintain their traditional customs. Wearing modest clothing in these areas is considered a sign of respect towards the gods and deities. When visiting monasteries, it's important to maintain a reverent demeanour, walk slowly, and be quiet.