About

The Snow Leopard, often referred to as the “ghost of the mountains,” is a rare carnivore inhabiting high-altitude regions in 12 countries, including India. Designated as ‘Vulnerable’ by the IUCN, it enjoys the highest level of protection under various national and international wildlife conservation laws.

Threats

In India, snow leopards face numerous threats such as the depletion of prey due to overgrazing by livestock, retaliatory killings, poaching, illegal wildlife trade, unregulated tourism, climate change, infrastructure development, and improper waste management. In response to these issues, the government initiated the Population Assessment of World’s Snow Leopards (PAWS) as part of the Global Snow Leopard Ecosystem Protection Program (GSLEP).

Snow Leopard Population Assessment of India (SLPAI)

The Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India (SLPAI) is the country’s first national initiative aimed at scientifically estimating the population of snow leopards, both within and outside protected areas. This process involves two key steps, beginning with field surveys conducted at the state level.

1. Spatial Distribution Assessment:
   • Evaluate the spatial distribution of snow leopards based on habitat covariates.
   • Use an occupancy-based approach relying on sign and interview surveys to create a refined distribution map.
2. Abundance Estimation:
   • Estimate snow leopard abundance through camera trapping and genetics in habitat patches.
   • Assess prey species’ population and describe the ecosystem while identifying threats.

India aims to obtain scientifically robust estimates for snow leopard populations across states, contributing to global conservation efforts.

Project Snow Leopard – Jan 2009

Objective: Initiated in 2009, Project Snow Leopard aims to strengthen wildlife conservation in the Himalayan high altitudes through a knowledge-based and adaptive framework. The goal is to involve local communities in conservation efforts.

Location: The project covers biologically important landscapes in the states of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.

Highlights:

• India played a vital role in the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Project in 2013.
• The project encompasses non-forested or sparsely-forested high-altitude regions, forming approximately 129,000 sq km.
• Conservation efforts focus on unique wildlife like the snow leopard, bears, wolf, red panda, and various mountain ungulates.
• High-altitude lakes and bogs are vital for avifauna, including endangered species like the black-necked crane and bar-headed geese.

Why Conserve High Altitude Ecosystems?

• High altitudes in India (> 3000 m) support a unique wildlife assemblage of global conservation importance.
• Endangered species include the snow leopard, bears, wolves, red pandas, and various mountain ungulates.
• High-altitude lakes and bogs serve as breeding grounds for diverse avifauna.
• India has ratified international agreements promoting the conservation of high-altitude wildlife species like the snow leopard.
• Each state will select a biologically important site and develop a science-based, participatory conservation program in the first five years.
• The project will subsequently expand to cover more biologically important sites.