Why in News?
Himachal Pradesh Snow Leopard Survey (2024-25): Count rose to 83 (from 51 in 2021).First state to complete a full population survey.
Reported rare species: Pallas’s cat (first sighting) & Woolly flying squirrel (rediscovered).
Description:
- Scientific Name: Panthera uncia
- Nickname: “Ghost of the Mountains”
- Distribution (Global): 12 countries, 4,000–6,500 individuals
- Distribution (India): Ladakh, J&K, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh
- Altitude Range: 3,000–5,400 m
Protection Status:
- IUCN: Vulnerable
- CITES: Appendix I
- Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I
Population in India (SPAI Report 2019–23):
- Total: 718 snow leopards
- Ladakh – 477,Uttarakhand – 124,Himachal Pradesh – 51 (now 83, 2025 survey),Arunachal Pradesh – 36,Sikkim – 21,J&K – 9.
Threats:
- Poaching & illegal trade of pelts/bones
- Habitat degradation (roads, hydropower, mining)
- Prey base decline (ibex, bharal, blue sheep)
- Human-wildlife conflict (livestock depredation)
- Climate change – shrinking alpine ecosystems
Conservation Efforts:
National:
- Project Snow Leopard (2009): Landscape-level, community participation
- Snow Leopard Population Assessment of India (SPAI, 2019–23): First national scientific estimate (718)
- Protected Areas: Hemis NP (Ladakh), Kibber WLS (HP), GHNP (HP), Nanda Devi BR (UK)
International:
- Global Snow Leopard & Ecosystem Protection (GSLEP) 2013 – 12 range countries
- Goal: Secure 20 snow leopard landscapes by 2020+
Significance:
- Keystone predator → balances herbivore population in fragile Himalayan ecosystem
- Indicator of mountain ecosystem health
- Supports eco-tourism & local livelihoods
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