Rangdum Wetlands Conservation Initiative
Location: Rangdum Wetlands, Kargil district, Ladakh, situated at approximately 4,000 metres above sea level in the Western Himalayas
A science- and community-led effort to build long-term conservation pathways for the high-altitude Rangdum Wetlands through research, advocacy, and local governance engagement.
​Project at a glance
4000 m
Altitude of wetlands
2
Environmentally Damaging Infrastructure projects halted through advocacy
2
Grants funding our current projects
69+
Bird species recorded in the region
​About the project
Rangdum Wetlands are recognised as an Important Bird Area and support diverse avifauna, rare alpine plants, and large mammals such as snow leopard, Himalayan brown bear, and ibex. Despite their ecological value, the wetlands face mounting pressures from road construction, tourism growth, and energy infrastructure.
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NPN’s work in Rangdum focuses on establishing scientific baselines, strengthening community awareness of conservation governance tools, and using evidence-based advocacy to prevent ecologically damaging activities. The project is structured as a foundation phase for a longer-term, multi-year conservation strategy.
​How the Project Started
The Nature People Network initiated work in Rangdum in response to growing ecological pressures on the wetlands, including infrastructure expansion, unregulated tourism, and black carbon emissions. Over the past year, NPN focused on laying the groundwork for long-term conservation by supporting local leadership, securing research funding, and initiating baseline ecological documentation.
​Our approach
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NPN adopted a phased approach combining research, mentorship, and advocacy. Through its Accelerator Program, NPN mentored a local conservation leader, resulting in the successful award of the Green Hub Western Himalayan Grant to support a rapid socio-ecological assessment. Parallel to this, NPN supported biodiversity documentation work on aquatic plants and invertebrates, recognised as key bio-indicators of wetland health.
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Community engagement focused on consultations and workshops to understand local dependence on the wetlands and to communicate conservation-related rights and governance mechanisms available under Indian law. Strategic media engagement was used to intervene against infrastructure projects assessed as harmful to the wetland ecosystem.
Map of our landscape with key locations
​Outcomes and Impact
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A rapid socio-ecological assessment of Rangdum Wetlands was initiated through secured grant funding.
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Media advocacy contributed to halting a brick kiln and an electric pylon construction project near the wetlands.
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Biodiversity documentation work established the foundation for a long-term ecological baseline.
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Early community engagement processes were initiated to align conservation planning with local priorities.
Rangdum Village
​Partners and Community
The project is being developed with involvement from local stakeholders in Rangdum through consultations and early-stage workshops aimed at identifying ecological priorities and livelihood dependencies. Local communities were engaged on conservation governance tools available through existing legislation, with emphasis on community consent and participation.
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Research and capacity-building efforts have been supported through collaborations enabled by the Green Hub Western Himalayan Grant and sponsorship from The Habitats Trust. The Nature People Network provided mentorship, coordination, and technical support through its Accelerator Program.
NPN team helping Dr Iqbal Ali Khan with the grant pitch presentation
​Challenges and Learnings
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Conservation planning in high-altitude landscapes requires early intervention, as infrastructure decisions can rapidly outpace regulatory safeguards.
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Building conservation pathways depends on combining scientific evidence with timely advocacy.
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Community consent and awareness of governance tools are critical precursors to any formal conservation designation.
​What's Next
The next phase focuses on delivering a comprehensive biodiversity baseline, producing habitat maps, conducting awareness workshops in local languages, and building a case for stronger legal protection of Rangdum Wetlands. NPN plans to train local youth as conservation volunteers and explore appropriate conservation designations, subject to ecological assessment and community approval.