Over 100 people joined Journeys With Purpose from all over the world for our latest Wild Horizons conversation featuring renowned photographer and National Geographic explorer Mattias Klum and Behzad J Larry from the High Asia Habitat Fund.
Listeners tuned in to explore the breathtaking yet fragile landscapes of Ladakh in the Southern Tibetan Plateau. Through nostalgic tales of past expeditions and remarkable wildlife encounters, we gained an insight into the interconnectedness of people and land in this high Himalayan region and the challenges and opportunities for safeguarding this landscape in perpetuity.
To bring these insights to life, we will be leading a small group expedition to Ladakh in December 2025. Read about the journey and join a small group of curious, intrepid explorers to observe this rare landscape, privately hosted by Mattias Klum and Behzad J Larry, by following this link.
Read on for key insights we gleaned from these two conservationists:
1. Third pole transformations: witnessing change on the Tibetan Plateau
Towering over the Indian subcontinent, the Tibetan Plateau, often called the “Third Pole”, is a land of extremes, where breathtaking beauty meets relentless conditions. Spanning regions like Ladakh, this high-altitude desert endures harsh temperature swings, sparse vegetation, and minimal rainfall. As Behzad noted, preparing for a journey here is akin to an expedition to Svalbard or Antarctica, with extreme cold and dryness demanding careful preparation. Ladakh is home to some of the world’s highest peaks, with mountains such as Saltoro Kangri (Peak 36) reaching a staggering 7,742 metres. Behzad fondly referred to the isolated region as a truly “divine place”.
Yet, beyond its stark landscapes, the plateau is undergoing profound change. Both Mattias and Behzad have witnessed its transformation, a testament to how anthropogenic influence reaches even the world’s most remote places. While some changes bring benefits, the future remains uncertain. How will climatic shifts reshape the lives of local communities and the fragile habitats of species like the snow leopard?
What is certain, however, is the resilience of the land and its people. With awareness, collaboration, and innovation, there is hope that both nature and communities can adapt and thrive in the face of change.
2. Successful conservation requires a paradigm shift
Though climate change and habitat loss raise concerns about the longevity of snow leopard habitats, when asked about how to conserve populations of this already endangered species, Behzad revealed that human-wildlife conflict has caused a threat to numbers. When snow leopards venture into lower valleys, they often target livestock. At night, local farmers herd their animals into corrals to provide respite from the harsh conditions, however, failure to secure the corrals leaves the livestock poised as waiting prey for opportunistic snow leopards.
“The most damage occurs at night,” Behzad explained. When a snow leopard enters a corral, it finds itself surrounded by 30 to 40 animals that cannot escape. Accustomed to prey that flees in this enclosed environment, the snow leopard instinctively resorts to consecutive kills, attacking one after the other until the entire herd is lost. The devastation of such an attack represents a “catastrophic financial loss” for the local farmers, who are faced with the loss of the majority of their assets overnight. This can be detrimental to their economic vitality, and the precarity of their situation leaves them vulnerable and angry. In these situations, the snow leopard often gets trapped inside the corral, unknowingly awaiting the farmer’s retaliation.
To alleviate this scenario, Behzad stressed the importance of “predator proofing” corrals, ensuring that snow leopards and humans can continue to coexist peacefully. However, successful conservation requires more than just infrastructure – it demands a shift in perception. In the eyes of Ladakhi’s, Behzad asserted that snow leopards must be transformed “from a liability into an asset”.
3. Successful conservation is about successful community engagement
Vital to this shift in perspective is involving the local community in conservation efforts and the greater vision of preservation. This involves ensuring that they see the secondary and tertiary benefits of eco-tourism that draw people to the region. The shift from retaliation to protection is not just about saving a species; it’s about reshaping mindsets, creating economic opportunities, and building a future where humans and wildlife thrive together. Behzad recounted with pride a conversation with an elderly local, once a fierce adversary of snow leopards, now neutral – a powerful victory for snow leopard conservation.
4. The best moments come to those who wait!
In the Himalayas, the quest for the snow leopard is a journey of patience and reward. These elusive cats, masters of camouflage, leave only whispers of their presence, demanding a tracker’s skill and dedication to find them. The mountains themselves are a spectacle, a vast canvas of rock and sky. Close encounters are a privilege, not a promise. The trackers, guides in this wilderness, understand the rhythms of the snow leopard, but their rarity means sightings are never guaranteed. Behzad’s tradition of visiting a Tibetan monastery to spin prayer wheels before the search acknowledges the role of hope and intention. The wait, however long, is never wasted in Ladakh. Ancient monasteries, vibrant villages, and unique wildlife share this dramatic landscape, offering solace and inspiration. The mountains themselves possess a quiet power, calming the mind and stirring the soul.
“Every time you see one, it is equally exciting, it is tearful and joyous, a pivotal moment. It all culminates into a sheer indescribable moment, for experiencing not just the cat, but what it calls its home. It is sheer magic” (Behzad)
5. The power of collaboration
Conservation isn’t a solitary pursuit; it’s a symphony of collaboration. Real, lasting change emerges when scientists, local communities, conservationists, and even travellers unite. Each voice brings unique insights, experiences, and stories to the table, fueling a powerful dialogue that drives meaningful progress. Our December journey with Mattias and Behzad will be a living example, sparking thought-provoking discussions about global conservation and highlighting the absolute necessity of communication and resilience at a grassroot level. Conservation is a collective journey, and every one of us has a vital role to play. How will you become an ambassador for change?
“The importance of this December journey is to muster the strength we need” (Mattias)
This article was written by Kim Bridgeman
Journeys With Purpose offers immersive conservation and ethical travel experiences. Through private and hosted trips with pioneering conservationists, guests experience rewilding and restoring biodiversity in the wildest corners of the world. Our “Seven Worlds, One Planet” approach is a global curriculum focused on recovering and conserving vibrant landscapes, biodiversity, wildlife and livelihoods across all seven continents.