In a move to enhance winter tourism and strengthen local livelihoods, the Uttarakhand Government has announced plans to launch a ‘Snow Leopard Tour’, a unique wildlife experience aimed at offering visitors a rare opportunity to spot the elusive Himalayan big cat. According to State Tourism Secretary Dhiraj Garbyal, the initiative will be introduced on a pilot basis at Gangotri National Park in Uttarkashi district. The programme, to be launched soon under the guidance of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, is designed to promote eco-conscious tourism while ensuring the protection of fragile high-altitude ecosystems.
Under the proposed model, select high Himalayan areas such as Gangotri will be opened to tourists in a controlled and sustainable manner during the winter months, which are traditionally considered the off-season for travel in the region. The tour will adhere to strict ecological guidelines to minimize any disturbance to the snow leopard’s habitat. Garbyal added that the project will also provide a boost to local economies by promoting homestays, local guides, and adventure-based services such as skiing, trekking, paragliding, and rappelling across popular winter destinations including Auli, Khalia Top, and Bednidhar.
The Snow Leopard Tour forms part of Uttarakhand’s broader Winter Tourism Action Plan, which also includes winter carnivals in Mussoorie, Nainital, and Uttarkashi, alongside an International Yoga Festival in Rishikesh. The plan additionally promotes wildlife tourism in regions such as Jim Corbett, Nandaur, and Gangotri. During a recent review meeting, Chief Minister Dhami directed officials to speed up the implementation of snow leopard sighting programmes, helicopter skiing, and the Himalayan Car Rally, while also reinforcing infrastructure improvements across roads, hotels, and tourist facilities. The government’s ‘One District–One Festival’ campaign further aims to give each district a unique cultural identity.
While Uttarakhand joins the snow leopard conservation and tourism effort, other Indian states continue to offer established sighting zones. Ladakh’s Hemis National Park, home to over 400 snow leopards, remains India’s premier destination to witness the species in the wild. In Jammu and Kashmir, the rugged terrains of Kargil and Gurez offer sightings during winter when the cats descend closer to human settlements. Himachal Pradesh’s scenic Spiti Valley and Pin Valley National Park support around 81 snow leopards, while Sikkim’s Eastern Himalayan landscapes nurture small but stable populations. Arunachal Pradesh, part of the broader conservation corridor in the Eastern Himalayas, is another key habitat supporting the species in its remote high-altitude regions.
With an estimated 718 snow leopards spread across India, Uttarakhand’s new tourism initiative aligns with national conservation goals and underscores the state’s growing reputation as a year-round destination for sustainable adventure and wildlife tourism.
