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Community
The Homestays endeavour in Ladakh kicked off in 2002 to aid the conservation of the rare snow leopard. By generating income for locals, the programme increases the community’s stake in conserving wildlife and also offsets livestock losses caused by snow leopards and other predators.
The first fully sustained livestock insurance scheme was initiated in Ulley. The majority of the village’s large, able-bodied livestock have been insured against predatory animals and other accidents. Part of the Homestays’ proceeds are spent on community-led conservation drives, such as the restoration of cultural heritage, garbage management, banning the sale of plastic bottles, fencing of tree-plantation areas and setting aside traditional pasture areas for wild ungulates.
The construction of predator-proof corrals directly benefits local families and prevent incidents of multiple predations. In partnership with The Snow Leopard Conservancy-India Trust (SLC-IT), we have trained more locals at the homestay sites in the art of tourist hospitality, thus providing locals with the opportunity to earn, interact with guests and learn about hygiene, tourism and conservation techniques.
All guides are local youths who been trained as nature guides to identify and show visitors the rarest of flora and fauna.
Environment
Villagers have planted willows in cordoned-off areas to help the greening process in the region and create a healthier environment.
The homes use the traditional, eco -friendly extremely hygienic dry compost toilets. Community solar heated showers are available in the homestays. Blankets and traditional butter tea will keep you warmed.
Parachute Cafés: These tented cafés run cooperatively by village women practice good garbage management and use natural gas and kerosene for cooking. They also sell pressure-boiled, filtered water and minimize the use of plastic bottles.
Predator-proof Pens: The Snow Leopard Conservancy assists herders to predator-proof their livestock pens. For every pen that’s reinforced in this manner, between two to five snow leopards are saved.
Solar-boiled Water: Spring water freshly collected from the mountains is boiled in a solar cooker. It’s pure, hygienically prepared and 100 percent safe to drink; what’s more, it doesn’t waste nature’s precious fuel resources and also helps reduce litter – no excess plastic bottles!
Solar Showers: For a steaming, eco-friendly shower along your trek, be sure to stop at these unique attractions along trekking routes, in Sku Kaya and Ulley. Donated by tour operators Snow Leopard Trails & Overland Escape, these showers are a wonderful alternative to bathing in the river, which pollutes the water for those using it downstream.
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