[TusharK]

A tourist couple was fined Rs. 50,000 for driving their Toyota Fortuner on the Hunder sand dunes in Nubra Valley, Ladakh.



In a Facebook post, the Leh Police revealed that a tourist vehicle was found violating the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Nubra’s direction and was booked as per law. The owner had to pay a bond of Rs. 50,000 for violating the prohibitory order.



The SDM Nubra had earlier directed that no cars be allowed over the sand dunes in Hunder. The district police have also requested tourists not to drive on the sand dunes as it is an ecologically sensitive area.

The Nubra valley is located 120 km north of Leh at an altitude of about 10,000 ft. It is known for its picturesque landscape, and is the gateway to the Siachen glacier.

Source: District Police Leh

Link to Team-BHP News

[kiredd1005]

We need to look at the bigger picture, lot of educated people still trash even regular places. It is time we inculcate good public behaviour and not go about wreaking havoc even in ecologically sensitive places. It is indeed sad to witness such acts by people who think they can do whatever they want.

Kudos to the authorities for taking action against the offenders! Sends out a very strong message! Hope others learn a lesson!

[Ironhide]

As a people, a large percentage of us are an insensitive lot as far as respecting local culture and caring for the environment goes. Case in point, the absolute flippant way we trash a tourist place. And this is so visible especially in the mountains.

Just some time back there was this news of a tourist climbing on a Stupa / Chorten in Bhutan which drew a lot of flak from Bhutanese people. Goes on to show that we need to learn a lot about local cultures, customs, sensitivities and the environment upon traveling to a new place and learn to respect them.

https://youtu.be/HE6RFWuy9JQ

I've seen it all too often on the road to Mussoorie. The most common folly that drivers from plains do is throw lane discipline to the winds. This causes avoidable traffic jams in the narrow mountain roads, for which often the local police has to step in to set right. Just the other day, on an evening drive on the road to Mussoorie, we saw one vehicle parked by the side of the road, with music blaring at full blast, and a group of young men in vests swaying to the beats of a local Punjabi number in what seemed like alcohol fuelled revelry (made evident by the half empty bottles perched atop the roof of the car). With the influx of tourists to the hills, another dangerous trend that I see catching on is young men leaning precariuosly out of the windows of the car while sitting on the window sill, while music blasts from their vehicles twisting crazily on the mountain roads. I hope authorities take action on such errant tourists who disturb others and mar the otherwise beautiful experience of the hills.

[IP_Man]

Well done Nubra District Police

Good lesson for illiterates who don't have civic sense and no respect for the local rules/law.

Any legal action against tourist who drove Audi Q3 through Pangong lake?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4j9FAHubeRc

[Moto_MP]

I wonder if government can come up with some provision where unruly behaviors on road can anonymously be reported with a video taken or a dashcam video shot or something. If penalties can be issued basis video proof submitted anonymously that may well become very effective way to stop all the nonsense we see on road. It is so disappointing to see windows rolling down of a moving car and garbage being thrown out and you not able to do much about it

[Wanderers]

I personally saw this car getting stuck on sand dunes in Hunder on 8-Jun. When I saw this first thought it was Innova but came down to see that it was Fortuner. Just to clear the picture this was just adjacent to the parking area which is again sand and a day before I was not sure if it looked like good parking as fine sand did not hold and on second day I parked much on the approch road. There is also a signboard saying do not drive on sand.



This was on first day 7-Jun.

[fhdowntheline]

I was watchiing YouTube videos on Panasonic Lumix S5 mirrorless (on my radar for quite some time) and came across this beautifully shot but very sombre video on the ecological disaster unfolding due to unbridled tourism in Ladakh. I thought posting it in this thread would be apt. We should all watch this before we plan any venture in such places.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MG-AactRSDk

[Jhinchak]

Just curious, Are there boards put up at such places saying trespassing will be prosecuted or driving on dunes is against the law? If not it should be done immediately or this will keep happening in future. Also people can just brush it off saying they did not know.

[ZeRo©]

This is intentional and done with arrogance with no concern to the sign boards.

Maybe they thought of it as Dubai dunes. I would love to see them in the sand dunes in my hometown in Rajasthan. Getting stuck in burning hot sand in 50 degrees, with no one around.

I doubt the penalty will do anything to stop other reckless revellers. More sign boards and strict penalties with a jail term might help.

[adi.mariner]

Kudos to the Leh Police for fining the miscreant. Just wondering how did the figure of Rs. 50000 was decided upon. As in the Motor Vehicle Act mentions the fine amount for the violations done. I don't know if there will be something specific for this scenario.

[sagarpadaki]

Originally Posted by IP_Man

Well done Nubra District Police

Good lesson for illiterates who don't have civic sense and no respect for the local rules/law.

Any legal action against tourist who drove Audi Q3 through Pangong lake?

https://www.Youtube.com/watch?v=4j9FAHubeRc

The lake would have taken action on the Audi. Pangong is a salt water lake and by after effects on the sensitive Audi would definitely be there unless the owners decided to get the car washed thoroughly soon after

[SgtRepeat]

Originally Posted by Wanderers

When I saw this first thought it was Innova but came down to see that it was Fortuner.
Attachment 2319674

Sir, this is an Endeavour, not a Fortuner.

[noo.b]

Originally Posted by SgtRepeat

Sir, this is an Endeavour, not a Fortuner.

Mate that's his own car there, parked in the designated parking next to the dunes. He's mentioned that this picture is from June 7th

[fhdowntheline]

Originally Posted by sagarpadaki

The lake would have taken action on the Audi. Pangong is a salt water lake and by after effects on the sensitive Audi would definitely be there unless the owners decided to get the car washed thoroughly soon after

If they cared about their Audi they wouldn't have done it in the first place. Obviously there's more money where these creatures came from. Sorry, but cant help being judgmental.

Slightly OT, but nowadays I feel that such tourism should be strictly curbed. Ditto with jungles and high altitude treks/drives. Some areas should be strictly NO GO. Alternatively, build a mall with artificial snow like in the Emirates. We have enough rich businesspersons who can make this happen now. Let the visitors freeze themselves silly.

[sameer_vwagner]

Have been seeing people acting like this since 2014. Back then we had seen a few lads on Enfields with HR and JK-10 number plates trying to take the bike up the desert and later inside the Pangong lake.

Back then it was the people from the Army that had to school them. Many of my local Ladakhi friends tell m this is more frequent in Tso Moriri too. Sad.