Wildlife Institute of India’s Groundbreaking Study Exposes the Hidden World of 718 Snow Leopards Across the Himalayan Landscape

The comprehensive assessment covered over 70% of the potential snow leopard range in the country, encompassing approximately 120,000 km2 of vital snow leopard habitat in the trans-Himalayan region. States and Union territories involved in the study include Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. The exercise, conducted from 2019 to 2023, involved a meticulous two-step framework.

The methodology included the estimation of snow leopard abundance using camera traps strategically placed in identified regions. Throughout the exercise, a total of 13,450 km of trails were surveyed to record snow leopard signs, while 1,971 camera traps were deployed at various locations for 180,000 trap nights. The results indicated the recording of snow leopard occupancy in 93,392 km2, with an estimated presence in 100,841 km2, capturing 241 unique snow leopards in photographs.

The state-wise breakdown of the estimated snow leopard population is Ladakh (477), Uttarakhand (124), Himachal Pradesh (51), Arunachal Pradesh (36), Sikkim (21), and Jammu and Kashmir (9). This revelation is significant as, until recent years, the snow leopard range in India remained undefined due to limited nationwide assessments for this vulnerable species.

The report underscores the need for a dedicated snow leopard cell at the Wildlife Institute of India, focusing on long-term population monitoring. The suggested approach involves states and Union Territories adopting a periodic population estimation strategy, conducting assessments every fourth year in snow leopard habitats. These regular evaluations aim to provide insights into challenges, address threats, and formulate effective conservation strategies for the elusive and endangered snow leopard population in India.