The Rangdum wetlands are facing an existential danger. It was once a remote high altitude ecosystem teeming with migratory birds and has now become a construction site buzzing with the sound of heavy earthmoving machinery. This abrupt transformation is a stark reminder that we can no longer take such ecological havens for granted.
Nestled in the remote Zangskar region of Ladakh, the Rangdum wetlands are one of the most ecologically significant sites in the western Himalayan region. The wetland is formed primarily by melt-water from the Drang Drung glacier, which is said to be India’s second-largest after Siachen. The wetlands serve as a critical water source for surrounding areas and feed into the Suru river, which is a tributary of the Indus. However, Rangdum’s importance extends far beyond water security.
According to research, 69 different species of birds have been recorded from Rangdum wetlands, including six passage migrants, 25 residents, 36 summer visitors, and three vagrants. These wetlands serve as staging, breeding, and feeding grounds for many birds including black-necked crane, bar-headed goose, and ruddy shelduck. Without urgent intervention, we may lose this vital site, which threatens the survival of these species and the ecosystem.
Despite being recognised as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International in 2004, Rangdum wetlands have faced increasing pressure from human activity. These activities include development of roads, power lines, and fences as well as a rise in unregulated tourism: all of which has degraded the ecosystem and put the wetland ecosystem at risk. Increased vehicular traffic has also led to an increase in plastic pollution in places that were void of non-biodegradable waste in the past. Illegal brick kilns and other extractive industries now dot parts of the landscape, which were inaccessible earlier.
I remember my first visit to Rangdum in June 2018, not long after completing my master’s degree. My friends and I spontaneously decided to embark on a journey to Zangskar. The roads were rough and bumpy, and the journey was exhausting but exhilarating—a perfect mix of Ladakh’s challenging terrain and breath-taking scenery. Rangdum wetlands were a pleasant surprise during this brief trip. Being an avid birdwatcher, I was immediately drawn to the bustling bird activity. The wetlands were alive with the sounds and movements of migratory birds feeding, resting, and preparing for the next leg of their long journey. It felt like I had stumbled upon a hidden paradise, untouched by time and largely unspoiled by human activity.
During my doctoral research fieldwork in subsequent years, I noticed subtle but troubling developments in this landscape. Bird numbers seemed to be dwindling, and their melodious cacophony was fading. Initially, I attributed these shifts to natural fluctuations—snowfall that year or weather fluctuations. By 2022, these changes were undeniable. A wetland teeming with birdlife now had few avian visitors. My countless stops for bird photography left me empty-handed. Sometimes, I did not even spot the common Eurasian magpie! I was dumbstruck and perplexed. Unsurprisingly, this was happening in tandem with roads in the area being widened, and Zangskar, which was once an isolated valley, becoming more accessible with direct road connections to Manali and Leh.
I was then confronted with a striking eyesore. Seven massive electric pylons sat atop the wetland area over soil mounds used by migratory ducks and grebes for nesting. Each pylon had its own access road cutting through the bog, dumping debris that further scarred the wetland. Even paths used by mammals such as Himalayan ibex, blue sheep, wolves, and snow leopards, are blocked by fences along roads forcing them to make dangerous crossings and increasing the risk of road accidents. This haphazard development poses a threat not only to the wetlands but also to the larger ecosystem.
I am not against development. As much as anyone else, I understand the need for improved infrastructure, easier accessibility, and the desire for economic benefits. However, development at the cost of pristine habitats and fragile ecosystems is not fair, sustainable, or utilitarian. Mindless development that fails to integrate ecosystem damage mitigation strategies is an ecological debt that make us environmentally, socially, and economically bankrupt. We must act now. In Rangdum, action needs to be in the form of responsible and mindful development.
Wetlands like Rangdum serve as natural filters, improving water quality by trapping pollutants and sediments. They act as sponges, absorbing excess rainwater and preventing floods in surrounding regions. Their degradation could lead to far-reaching consequences, affecting communities that rely on them for clean water, agriculture, and climate regulation.
However, beyond their intrinsic ecological value, these wetlands also have a significant economic potential for local communities. Birdwatchers, naturalists, and tourists from across the world are drawn to Rangdum’s natural beauty and biodiversity and in turn economically empower local communities. Therefore, in contrast with a rural landscape with no significant bird activity, the people of Rangdum have a better chance of earning a livelihood due to the presence of wildlife and birds. Mindful development needs to recognise this as it introduces linear infrastructure projects to the region.
Actionable Steps for Conservation
We should not halt development, but we can do it responsibly. As Rangdum becomes more accessible, the government and private developers must implement regulatory checks and balances to protect the local environment. Here are key strategies:
- Strategic zoning: Designate specific areas for construction, ensuring sensitive ecosystems like wetlands remain untouched. Enforce zoning laws that protect critical habitats, preventing encroachment by infrastructure projects.
- Wildlife-friendly infrastructure: Plan roads and electric pylons with animal migration patterns in mind to avoid fragmenting habitats. Implement underpasses for animals, bird-safe power lines, and noise reduction measures to mitigate the impact on wildlife.
- Sustainable tourism: Encourage eco-friendly tourism practices that involve and benefit local communities such as bird watching or guided wildlife tours. Proper waste management systems and tourist education programmes are crucial to ensure tourism does not degrade the environment.
- Strict waste management: Control tourism-related waste, especially plastic, to prevent pollution of these fragile ecosystems. Introduce bans on single-use plastics in protected areas and increase the availability of eco-friendly alternatives.
- Biodiversity monitoring: Conduct continuous research and documentation to track changes in the ecosystem and inform conservation efforts. Pair this monitoring with periodic reviews of development projects to ensure they remain ecologically sound over time.
In addition, prioritise funding for restoration efforts to rehabilitate degraded wetlands and reintroduce lost species. These initiatives should be scientifically backed and supported by the local community to ensure long-term success.
The Rangdum wetlands are not just an ecological treasure but a test case for how we balance development with conservation. Mindful development is not just about protecting birds and wildlife, but about securing the future of an entire ecosystem and the people who rely on it. If we fail to act now, we risk losing a critical habitat for migratory birds and a vital part of our natural heritage. The clock is ticking, and the time to act is now.
Photographs and text by Dr. Iqbal Ali Khan
Dr. Iqbal Ali Khan is Himalaya Landscape Advisor at The Nature People Network.