India’s snow leopard population has been quantified at 718 individuals

In a landmark revelation, India’s snow leopard population has been quantified at 718 individuals, marking a significant milestone in the country’s wildlife conservation efforts. This pioneering scientific initiative, known as the Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India (SPAI) Programme, unveiled its findings during the National Board for Wildlife meeting in New Delhi, spearheaded by the Indian Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav.

Facilitated by the esteemed Wildlife Institute of India (WII) as the National Coordinator, the SPAI initiative was a collaborative endeavor, garnering support from all snow leopard range states and two prominent conservation partners, the Nature Conservation Foundation, Mysuru, and WWF-India.

The comprehensive survey systematically covered approximately 120,000 square kilometers of critical snow leopard habitat, encompassing over 70 percent of the potential snow leopard range in India. This extensive coverage spanned across the trans-Himalayan region, including Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.

Spanning from 2019 to 2023, the SPAI utilized a meticulous two-step framework. Firstly, it assessed snow leopard spatial distribution in alignment with the 2019 guidelines of the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC). Subsequently, snow leopard abundance was estimated through camera traps deployed in identified stratified regions.

The exhaustive efforts of the SPAI included surveying over 13,450 kilometers of trails to record snow leopard signs and deploying camera traps at 1,971 locations for 180,000 trap nights. The results unveiled snow leopard occupancy in 93,392 square kilometers, with an estimated presence in 100,841 square kilometers, capturing images of 241 unique snow leopards.

Historically, the snow leopard range in India remained undefined due to a lack of extensive nationwide assessments. However, the SPAI initiative has provided crucial insights into the population dynamics of this elusive and endangered species.

Moving forward, the report underscores the importance of establishing a dedicated Snow Leopard Cell at WII under the MoEFCC to facilitate long-term population monitoring. Consistent monitoring is essential for ensuring the long-term survival of snow leopards. The report advocates for a periodic population estimation approach every fourth year to identify challenges and implement targeted conservation measures.

The SPAI initiative represents a significant stride towards safeguarding India’s rich biodiversity and underscores the nation’s commitment to wildlife conservation. By providing a robust scientific framework for population assessment and monitoring, the SPAI aims to pave the way for the continued protection and conservation of snow leopards for generations to come.