Seeing a snow leopard is like encountering a myth come to life. It’s an experience that transcends mere sightseeing. A total of 718 snow leopards were recorded as part of the Wildlife Institute of India’s inaugural scientific study (WII). The Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India (SPAI) Program has discovered the results of the first-ever population estimation exercise of the vulnerable species. Ladakh has the highest number of snow leopards.
Home To 718 Snow Leopards
A rare shot of Snow Leopard at Ladakh https://t.co/R42ljBSzyb pic.twitter.com/chtIRpvspO
— Siddharth Bakaria (@SidBakaria) January 2, 2024
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav presented the study, Status of Snow Leopards in India, at the National Board for Wildlife meeting in Delhi on Tuesday. The first-ever scientific report is the Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India (SPAI) programme. A total of 241 distinct snow leopards were photographed throughout the evaluation. This took place between 2019 and 2023. The data indicates:
- Ladakh has the largest estimated population of the animal (477)
- Himachal Pradesh (51)
- Uttarakhand (124),
- Arunachal Pradesh (36),
- Sikkim (21), and
- Jammu and Kashmir (9)
Over 70% of the country’s potential snow leopard range was covered by the evaluation, which also included roughly 120,000 km of vital habitat for snow leopards in the trans-Himalayan zone. The survey projected the number of snow leopards in 100,841 sq km and recorded their presence in 93,392 sq km, according to the environment ministry. Moreover, the research highlights the necessity of creating a specialised Snow Leopard Cell at the Wildlife Institute of India. This emphasises the importance of long-term population monitoring backed by meticulously planned study designs and field investigations.
Also Read: Want A Glimpse Of Himalaya’s Snow Leopard? Visit Bhutan’s Hidden Gem, Jigme Dorji National Park
Bookmark These Wildlife Places In Ladakh
Hemis National Park, Ladakh, India 🇮🇳 – Globally famous for its snow leopards pic.twitter.com/FWd0nPr9ip
— Raghu (@IndiaTales7) August 20, 2023
Although nearly 70% of snow leopards are found in Ladakh, it’s not a sight easily granted. Here are the national parks in Ladakh known for snow leopards:
- Hemis National Park: India’s Ladakh region is home to the high-elevation Hemis National Park. Renowned worldwide for its snow leopard population, it is thought to have the highest density of any protected region worldwide.
- Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary: From sighting the rare snow leopard, one can also spot a kiang or a wild ass, along with the dark-necked crane.
Because snow leopards are the top predators in the Himalayan ecosystem, it is crucial to estimate their population. It is classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as “vulnerable.” Overgrazing, conflicts between people and wildlife and the effects of climate change are just a few of the dangers it faces.
However, it’s a humbling experience to witness the snow leopard.
Cover image credits: Canva
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