The population of rare snow leopards in Himachal Pradesh’s high-altitude tribal regions has seen a remarkable 62 percent increase over the past four years, according to a newly released wildlife survey. The count, which stood at 51 in 2021, now shows a significant rise to 83, as announced by officials from the state Forest Department’s Wildlife Wing on Friday.
This survey, conducted throughout the past year, underscores the success of long-term conservation strategies, particularly those that engage local communities. Released on October 2, the first day of Wildlife Week (October 2–8), this report also noted that the new count excluded cubs, surpassing the upper confidence estimate of 73 from the 2021 survey. This suggests a likely expansion of habitats for these elusive predators.
The study utilized a large-scale camera-trapping exercise across six sites, encompassing nearly 26,000 square kilometers. It documented snow leopards in Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur, and Pangi Valley, with sightings recorded not only inside protected areas such as Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary, Great Himalayan National Park, Sechu Tuan Nallah Wildlife Sanctuary, and Asrang Wildlife Sanctuary but also beyond these reserves.
Beyond recording snow leopards, the survey also examined populations of prey species like blue sheep, Himalayan ibex, and musk deer. Additionally, it cataloged other mammals including Himalayan wolves, brown bears, leopards, red foxes, and martens.
Significantly, the survey highlighted the first official sighting of Pallas’s cat in Kinnaur and reported the rediscovery of the woolly flying squirrel in Lahaul, emphasizing the region’s rich biodiversity.
Officials attribute the successful outcome of the survey to community involvement, emphasizing the role of local youth and women from Kibber village in Spiti. These community members aided in camera trap deployments and data analysis, while forest officers and villagers collaborated on field operations. Unlike the previous survey, which spanned three years, this latest evaluation was accomplished in just one year.
Furthermore, officials noted that this cost-effective survey has established a scalable framework for long-term snow leopard monitoring in India. With this achievement, Himachal Pradesh has become the first state in the country to conduct a second statewide snow leopard assessment. Such initiatives not only propel conservation efforts but also highlight the importance of community participation in wildlife preservation.
