Chief Secretary of the Union Territory of Ladakh, Ashish Kundra, on June 25 chaired a meeting to review the proposal for organising the Black-necked Crane Festival 2026, aimed at promoting wildlife conservation, strengthening community participation and encouraging nature-based livelihoods in the Changthang region of Ladakh.

The proposed festival, scheduled for the second half of August 2026, seeks to celebrate the iconic Black-necked Crane while showcasing the ecological, cultural and economic importance of Ladakh’s high-altitude wetlands. The event is envisioned as a platform to enhance conservation awareness, promote sustainable tourism and create livelihood opportunities for local communities.

During the meeting, concerned officers gave a detailed presentation highlighting the rationale behind the festival and the global significance of the Changthang wetlands ecosystem. The presentation described the Black-necked Crane as a symbol of harmony between biodiversity, culture and spirituality in the Trans-Himalayan region.

The discussion also covered the potential of bird tourism as a growing global sector, lessons from the successful Black-necked Crane Festival in Bhutan, projected tourism opportunities and the broader vision for Ladakh’s proposed festival.

The proposed plan includes the development of five key crane destinations in Changthang, along with birdwatching experiences, field visits, technical sessions, livelihood exhibitions, cultural programmes and strategies to establish Ladakh as a premier bird tourism destination. Budget requirements and promotional strategies were also discussed.

During the deliberations, Chief Secretary Kundra highlighted the immense potential of bird tourism and stressed the need to leverage Ladakh’s unique biodiversity assets through sustainable practices. He sought details on the proposed festival dates and suggested aligning the event with the most suitable period for crane sightings and visitor participation.

He also explored the possibility of adding an international dimension to the festival to attract researchers, conservationists, birdwatchers, photographers and nature enthusiasts from across India and abroad.

Kundra emphasised that the festival should remain deeply connected with the Changthang region, where the Black-necked Crane and its habitat are closely linked with local culture and livelihoods. He directed the organisers to ensure active participation of local communities, conservation organisations, birding groups, educational institutions and tourism stakeholders in planning and execution.

Highlighting the importance of community-led conservation, the Chief Secretary stressed that local residents should be the primary beneficiaries of the initiative. He proposed developing trained local nature guides and birding interpreters from Changthang villages, particularly among unemployed youth, to support visitors exploring the region’s landscapes and wildlife habitats.

He noted that such initiatives would enhance visitor experiences while creating sustainable livelihood opportunities and inspiring future conservation leaders through greater awareness of Ladakh’s fragile wetland ecosystems.

Infrastructure and visitor facilities were also reviewed during the meeting. Kundra stressed the need for developing bird observation points, interpretation centres, improved visitor amenities, eco-friendly accommodation facilities and designated wildlife viewing sites. He directed concerned departments to explore possibilities for upgrading existing facilities at Nyoma, Hanle and other important locations to support nature tourism and research activities.

To strengthen outreach, the Chief Secretary directed the development of a dedicated and professionally designed website for the Black-necked Crane Festival on a fast-track basis within one week. The platform will provide information for visitors, researchers, photographers, tour operators and conservation enthusiasts, including festival activities, travel details, birdwatching opportunities and community-based tourism experiences.

He further instructed the Tourism Department to prominently integrate bird tourism and Black-necked Crane-related content into Ladakh’s tourism promotion platforms.

The Chief Secretary advised the organisers to revise the festival concept note and presentation with greater focus on conservation-linked livelihoods, community participation and sustainable tourism opportunities before placing it before the Lieutenant Governor for further consideration and planning of the inauguration.

The meeting was attended by Mandeep Mittal, IFS; Rajesh, IFS; Sanjeet Rodrigues, Secretary, Tourism Department; and senior officers from concerned departments and organisations.