LG Saxena inaugurates first Black-Necked Crane Festival in Ladakh
Excelsior Correspondent Leh, Aug 11: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena today inaugurated the nation's first Black-Necked Crane Festival 2026, aimed at promoting conservation of the endangered species and linking wildlife protection with local livelihoods and eco-tourism. The festival...
Excelsior Correspondent
Leh, Aug 11: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena today inaugurated the nation's first Black-Necked Crane Festival 2026, aimed at promoting conservation of the endangered species and linking wildlife protection with local livelihoods and eco-tourism.
The festival brought together conservationists, researchers and experts from India and abroad, including representatives from the United Nations, Bhutan and Nepal. Around 16,000 Black-Necked Cranes are found across India, Bhutan, China and Nepal, while Ladakh is the only breeding habitat of the species in India.
The Black-Necked Crane, the world's only alpine crane, has also been declared the State Bird of Ladakh and is regarded as a symbol of peace.
Addressing the festival, Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena said protection of the crane was closely linked to the conservation of Ladakh's wetlands, grasslands and high-altitude ecosystems, including Tso Kar and Hanle, which also support local pastoral communities.
He stressed that local people should be treated as partners and custodians of conservation efforts and called for combining traditional knowledge with modern scientific methods.
The LG also highlighted the potential of responsible birdwatching, nature tourism, wildlife photography, handicrafts and traditional products to generate sustainable livelihood opportunities.
He said Ladakh should follow the principle of getting "more value from nature, with less pressure on nature" to ensure that tourism does not harm fragile ecosystems.
The festival also focused on protecting breeding grounds and wetlands from pollution and unregulated tourism.
On the occasion, the LG Ladakh, Vinai Kumar Saxena released several knowledge products, including books on the Black-Necked Crane in India and Bhutan, a coffee table book, a conservation action plan, a status and distribution report, a bird economy status report and a special postal cover and cancellation in collaboration with India Post.
The Ladakh Declaration for Black-Necked Crane conservation was also released.
