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Several impact assessment studies
have been conducted in various
countries to gauge the impact of
off -roading by motorised vehicles
on wildlife, and the fi ndings have all
been unfl attering. A study conducted
in the Prairies Ecosystems of Big
Cypress National Preserve (Waddle
J.H. et al) showed that ORVs caused
displacement of soil, infl icted direct
damage to vegetation and even
resulted in the spread of invasive
species. ORVs have also been cited as
one of the major threats to amphibian
life in protected natural areas of South
Florida. The studies also suggest
that ORVs could result in alterations
in behaviour and reduce survival or
fi tness of wildlife populations.ABOVE Off -roading vehicles can cause irrversible damage to natural habitats including trampling
vegetation, pollution and disturbance to wildlife such as the desert fox in Kutchh.
FACING PAGEIn Ladakh, much like other regions, the off -road use issue is not just restricted to
trampling. With vehicles comes a retinue of ill eff ects in the form of air, water and noise pollution
and littering.
Kutchh is a popular off -roading destination
among bike riding and ORV enthusiasts.have now begun to set high standard
bars to guide photographers.
Groups and organisations that
organise such off -roading trips need
to self-regulate while the trend
is still nascent in India. And they
should be asked inevitably to stay
away from ecologically sensitive
areas, or turn their adventure into
conservation action, the way that some
mountaineers and trekkers (not all)
now take pride, not merely in setting
a good example by not littering, but
by bringing back the trash that others
carelessly throw.
Most importantly, the tourists and
adventure sports enthusiasts who
indulge in these activities must be
aware that a few adrenalin charged
moments are not worth the negative
impact on our biodiversity. SAURABH CHATTERJEE / FLICKR / PUBLIC DOMAINSAMIR MADHANI / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0WHAT YOU CAN DO
a) Use the power of social media,
other online networking and
writing platforms to spread
the message.
b) If you yourself are an off -
roading enthusiast, indulge in the
sport more responsibly. Educate
yourself about the ecology of the
destinations and avoid ecologically
sensitive places. Get your
adventure group to do the same
and set an example.Write to the Indian Ministry of
Tourism and the Ministry of
Environment, Forest and Climate
Change (MoEFCC) asking them to
implement strict regulatory
measures on ORV use in India
impose license fee on vehicles
identifi ed as off -road vehicles
ban ORVs from sensitive
wilderness areas
limit the number of ORVs in off -
roading hotspots to reduce impact
conduct impact assessment studies
in sensitive zones
Mail to
Shri Vikas Rustagi,
Joint Director General,
Niche Tourism, Ministry of Tourism
[email protected]
Dr. Harsh Vardhan,
Minister of Environment,
Forests and Climate Change
[email protected]
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