Leh, 10: The Department of Zoology, EJM College, Leh organized a one-day educational wildlife tour for students of the Interdisciplinary Course “Wildlife Conservation” to Puga Valley on Saturday.
The tour, flagged off from the college campus at 8:30 a.m., followed the scenic Indus River basin route. Faculty members Dr. Mohd Murtaza and Dr. Mumtaz Ali accompanied and guided the students, briefing them about the region’s rich biodiversity and ecological significance.
During the field visit, students observed several wildlife species using binoculars and photographic equipment. Among the mammals spotted were Blue Sheep (Pseudois nayaur), Urial or Shapo (Ovis vignei), and Kiang or Tibetan Wild Ass (Equus kiang). Birdwatchers among the group also recorded Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea), Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), Pallas’s Gull (Ichthyaetus ichthyaetus), and various migratory species.
A rare and thrilling sighting was that of the Himalayan Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos daphanea), observed closely as it fed on a carcass — a moment that captivated students and faculty alike.
The field tour provided students with valuable hands-on exposure to wildlife observation and biodiversity assessment, deepening their understanding of Ladakh’s fragile ecosystem.
The event concluded in the evening with gratitude expressed to Prof. Stanzin Yangdol, Principal of EJM College, for her support in facilitating the educational tour.
