Tucked away in a remote corner of the Trans-Himalayan Ladakh is Suru, a green and fertile valley. The lush slopes are in marked contrast to the snow-clad mountains to shore up the blue sky! The valley is famous for the nun (c. 7150 m) and Kun (c. 7050 m) peaks that attract many climbers each year. The Kun peak is separated from the north by a nun snow plateau. Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy of the people. The lush farming areas are punctuated by groves of poplars and willows. Wildflowers on mountainsides, fields and pastures, without inhibition, the publicity of the glory and charm of the valley. Dozens of rare birds and elegant as the rose finch singing squat willows.

One day, Karma and I took a trip to assess the status of wildlife in the Suru valley. The bumpy drive from Kargil true beauty of the valley. The road is in very poor condition, with as many bumps in the road can get. The road is nothing but fatigue, which I think is a blessing in disguise because it makes people stop intermittently to stretch and enjoy the scenic beauty. The villagers believe that widespread corruption is responsible for the poor state of infrastructure in the valley. The lower Suru valley is relatively broad and intensively cultivated. The glacier fed Suru River, a tributary of the Indus, often swollen with water, yellow in summer, when the glaciers melt under the intense heat of the sun.

The people of the region are Shia Muslims, who believe that after the death of the Prophet Muhammad, the leadership that have passed directly to his cousin / son-in-law, Ali, in contrast to the Prophet's companions capable. The people of Suru valley belong to an ethnic group of tribal norms, which are predominantly Muslims living in Afghanistan, northern Pakistan and India. People's faith is an example of thousands of mosques, with interiors decorated with posters of Ayatollahs in Iran. The call of the muezzin loudspeakers blaring from mosque minarets reverberate in the valley.

The Suru Valley is a bird watchers paradise. Hundreds of birds, both resident and migratory species have been recorded in the area. Agricultural fields, thickets and grass courts provide abundant resources for rare birds such as white-tailed Tit Rubythroat and Firecapped. The most common birds are the Golden Eagle, Chough, Chukar Patridge, Raven and Paloma common. However, there is less variety of mammalian Suru Changthang compared to the eastern part of Ladakh. The most prominent mammals in this region are highly endangered snow leopard, Tibetan wolf and red fox who took advantage of large herbivores such as Asiatic ibex, marmots and hares.

There is almost no reliable information on the distribution and abundance of the population of these animals in this part of Ladakh. The department of wildlife is Kaput, and there seems to be a serious lack of awareness of conservation among the local population. The people and the authorities' ignorance and apathy towards wildlife in the region indicated by a sign emblazoned with images of wild animals including a goat Walia, a goat that is produced only in the mountains of Ethiopia semi. The game seems to be common in many places and wild animals continue to serve as an important source of protein for the population.

The old road slowed our journey, and came to Sankoo late at night. Sankoo is a large village, situated 42 km from the town of Kargil. We stayed at the tourist bungalow, which was built recently and therefore relatively neat and clean. The watchman of the building was also an excellent cook and that our pampered palates of a few days. The rooms have nice balconies with magnificent views of the river Suru.

The next day, a Hajji arrived to complain about red foxes lifting chicken. He took us out and showed the fox den, located on the edge of an agricultural field. Full of feathers near the nest was testimony Hajjis problem. As they returned to the bungalow, two foxes slunk away from a bush. Later sent us a roll of chicken mesh and iron poles to make a fox-proof enclosure for birds.

After evaluating Hajjis fox problem, we took a side trip to a valley called karts, where a giant statue of Buddha carved into a rock. There is also a ruined castle on a spur near a small village. Rock-carved Buddha statues are quite common along the route of the Buddhist missionaries, who traveled from India to Central Asia. Mulbek La Chamba, situated in the village Mulbek on the road from Kargil to Leh is one of the most prominent of these.

In the afternoon, we took a trip to Umba Valley, across the valley to the left of the Suru River. The new road made our drive less arduous. The road is being built to Drass across this valley, which could have a negative impact on the fauna. We scanned the grass courts of ibex, but only cattle could be seen everywhere. The ibex were pushed into the rock shelter. According to villagers often the lower slopes during the winter, when it comes to obtaining the top covered with snow. Also, do not see any lower mammals like hares and marmots. Premises specified on indiscriminate killing groundhogs Bihari road workers to replenish their food stores.

There has been no study of wildlife in the Suru valley. Given the sad condition of wildlife in the area, it is imperative to begin studies followed by intensive research on these animals. The department of wildlife to be resurrected so that the prevailing laws of conservation can be implemented. One of the main reasons for non-functional state of the department of wildlife due to the lack of conservation awareness among the local population. If they realized the importance of the survival of these animals to continue the services, urged the Government to revive the service for the welfare of wildlife, environment and people.

Tsewang Namgail is a wildlife biologist from Ladakh, and is currently a Ph.D. at the University of Wageningen in the Netherlands http://www.reg.wur.nl/UK/Staff/Namgail/ He has been working on the fauna Ladakh for the past ten years. Apart from scientific research, working with local communities to find innovative ways to conserve wildlife in the Trans-Himalaya. Write a lot to raise awareness of conservation among the people who inhabit the mountainous region of Northern India. You can contact him at namgail@mailcity.com