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Introduction:

• Union Minister Bhupender Yadav released the first ever Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India (SPAI) report during the National Board for Wildlife meeting in New Delhi.
• SPAI is the first-ever scientific exercise reporting 718 snow leopards in India.

Implementation and Coordination:

• The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) led the SPAI program.
• Collaboration involved snow leopard range states and partners like Nature Conservation Foundation and WWF-India. 

Geographical Coverage:

• SPAI systematically covered over 70% of potential snow leopard range.
• Encompassed approximately 120,000 km2 of crucial habitat in trans-Himalayan region, including UTs of Ladakh and J & K, and states such as Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.

Methodology:

• Conducted from 2019 to 2023 using a two-step framework.
• First step involved evaluating spatial distribution and incorporating habitat covariates.
• Second step estimated abundance using camera traps in identified regions.

State-wise Population Estimates:

• Ladakh: 477
• Uttarakhand: 124
• Himachal Pradesh: 51
• Arunachal Pradesh: 36
• Sikkim: 21
• Jammu and Kashmir: 9

Historical Context:

• Prior to 2016, one-third of the snow leopard range (ca. 100,347 km2) received minimal research attention.
• Recent surveys increased understanding for 80% of the range (about 79,745 km2).

Importance of SPAI Exercise:

• Significant in defining snow leopard range in India.
• Utilized a substantial network of camera traps for robust information.

Future Recommendations:

• Proposes establishing a dedicated Snow Leopard Cell at WII under MoEFCC.
• Emphasizes the need for long-term population monitoring, structured study designs, and consistent field surveys.

Conservation Strategies:

• Suggests periodic population estimation every fourth year for states and UTs in the snow leopard range.
• Aims to offer valuable insights for addressing challenges and formulating effective conservation strategies.

Snow Leopards

About

• Snow leopards (Panthera uncia) are large cats native to the mountainous regions of Central and South Asia.
• Recognized for their distinctive spotted coat, adapted for camouflage in rocky terrains.

Geographic Range:

• Found across 12 countries, including Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
• Primarily inhabit alpine and subalpine zones with rugged terrains.

Physical Characteristics:

• Well-adapted to cold climates with thick fur, including a long tail for balance and warm paws for walking on snow.
• Fur pattern varies, providing effective camouflage.
• Males weigh between 60-121 pounds, while females are smaller, ranging from 35-51 pounds.

Behavior and Habitat:

• Solitary and elusive, snow leopards are known for their solitary nature.
• Well-suited to high altitudes, often found at elevations between 9,800 to 17,000 feet.
• Prefers steep, rocky terrains, and uses its powerful hind legs to traverse difficult landscapes.

Prey and Hunting:

• Mainly preys on blue sheep (bharal), Himalayan tahr, marmots, and other small mammals.
• An ambush predator, relying on stealth and strength for hunting.
• Hunts in a solitary manner, covering large territories to find prey.

Conservation Status:

• Listed as "Vulnerable" on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
• CITES: Appendix I.
• Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule-I.

Threats

• Threats include poaching for fur and bones, retaliatory killings by herders, habitat loss, and climate change.

International Collaboration:

• Snow Leopard Trust, WWF, and other organizations collaborate on global efforts for snow leopard conservation.
• The Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program (GSLEP) involves multiple range countries.

Cultural Significance:

• Considered a keystone species in their ecosystem, influencing the populations of their prey.
• Hold cultural significance in the regions they inhabit, featuring in local myths and traditions.

India Conservation Initiatives:

• Flagship Species: The Government of India has identified the snow leopard as a flagship species for the high-altitude Himalayas.
• Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection (GSLEP) Programme: India is a party to GSLEP since 2013, collaborating on global efforts for snow leopard conservation.
• HimalSanrakshak: Launched in October 2020, it is a community volunteer program aimed at protecting snow leopards.
• National Protocol (2019): The First National Protocol on Snow Leopard Population Assessment was launched in 2019, proving valuable for monitoring populations.
• SECURE Himalaya: A project funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF)-United NaAtions Development Programme (UNDP) focuses on the conservation of high-altitude biodiversity and reducing the dependency of local communities on the natural ecosystem.
• Project Snow Leopard (PSL): Launched in 2009, it promotes an inclusive and participatory approach to conserve snow leopards and their habitat.
• Ministry of Environment Forest & Climate Change: Snow Leopard is on the list of 21 critically endangered species for the recovery programme.
• Conservation Breeding: A Snow Leopard conservation breeding program is undertaken at Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, Darjeeling, West Bengal.

PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Consider the following statements: 1.Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India (SPAI) is the first-ever scientific exercise reporting 728 snow leopards in India. 2.Snow leopards are listed as "Critically Endangered" on the IUCN Red List. 3.India is a party to the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection (GSLEP) Programme since 2013. How many of the above statements are incorrect? A) Only 1 B) Only 2 C) All 3 D) None The correct answer is B) Only 2. Explanation: Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India (SPAI) is the first-ever scientific exercise reporting 728 snow leopards in India. This statement is incorrect. The correct number reported in the question is 728, but the actual statement mentions 728. The correct number is 718, as stated in the original information. Snow leopards are listed as "Critically Endangered" on the IUCN Red List. This statement is incorrect. Snow leopards are listed as "Vulnerable" on the IUCN Red List, not as "Critically Endangered." India is a party to the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection (GSLEP) Programme since 2013. This statement is correct. India is indeed a party to the GSLEP Programme since 2013. Therefore, the answer is B) Only 2.