First Status Report of Snow Leopard in India

31 Jan 2024

Context: 

The first scientific survey of the Snow leopard in India shows the country is home to 718 of the elusive cats.

SPAI Report On Snow Leopard in India

  • This is the first-ever scientific exercise, which took around 4 years ( 2019 to 2023) to complete.
  • Agencies Involved: The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) served as the National Coordinator for SPAI.
  • Region Covered: snow leopard habitat across the trans-Himalayan region, including Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.
  • Estimation Method: The program conducted a two-step framework. 
    • The first step involved evaluating snow leopard spatial distribution, aligning with the MoEFCC’s guidelines in 2019
    • The second step estimated snow leopard abundance using camera traps in identified regions

Snow Leopard in India

Snow Leopard in India: Key Findings Of SPAI

  • Estimation of Snow Leopard in India: The Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India (SPAI) Program, reveals a snow leopard population of 718 individuals in India. 
    • The maximum number estimated to be in Ladakh (477), followed by Uttarakhand (124), Himachal Pradesh (51), Arunachal Pradesh (36), Sikkim (21), and Jammu and Kashmir (9).
  • The current estimate puts the number of Indian snow leopards from 10-15% of the global population.

SPAI Report Recommendation

  • The report suggests establishing a dedicated Snow Leopard Cell at WII under MoEFCC to focus on long-term population monitoring
  • Regular population estimation every four years is recommended for effective conservation strategies and addressing threats to snow leopards’ long-term survival.

About Snow Leopard

  • Geographical Distribution of Snow Leopards:
    • Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
    • Geographical Distribution of Snow Leopard In India: Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Himachal Pradesh
  • Snow Leopard in IndiaThreats: Habitat destruction, invasive species, climate change, and pollution, which collectively exert an unprecedented impact on their survival. 
  • Protection Status: IUCN status: Vulnerable 
    • Internationally, snow leopards are listed under Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES), signifying the highest level of protection. 
    • within India, they hold Schedule I status under the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972.
    • Conservation Efforts:Global Snow Leopard & Ecosystem Protection Programme (GSLEP):
Lesser Known Facts About Snow Leopard

  • Furry and enormous paws of snow leopards give these cats inbuilt snowshoes that spread their body weight more evenly across the snow.
  • A resting snow leopard can wrap it around its body like a scarf for extra warmth.
  • Unlike other big cats, snow leopards cannot roar because they have different, less developed vocal cords.
  • Snow leopards are well camouflaged by their smoky grey fur with dark rosettes and spots- perfect for blending in among rocks & scree slopes.
    • It is an alliance of all snow leopard range countries, non-governmental organisations, multilateral institutions, scientists and local communities, united by one goal: saving the snow leopard and its mountain ecosystems.
  • Major Findings of GSLEP
    • It estimated  roughly 4000-6500 Leopard Populations worldwide, majorly in 12 snow leopard-ranging countries around 18 lakh sq km. 
    • The largest share encompasses the Tibetan plateau of China, followed by Mongolia and India.
Also Read: 60% Increase In Overall Tiger Population

News Source: The Hindu

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