SNOW LEOPARD POPULATION ASSESSMENT IN INDIA (SPAI)

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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.