Gobinda Prasad Pokharel
An international conference on snow leopard conservation was recently convened in Nepal. This conference bought together experts, academicians, researchers, and policymakers from the range countries to strengthen scientific collaboration and conservation efforts. The conferenced focused on cross-border coordination and knowledge exchange to ensure the long-term survival of the snow leopard in its 12 range countries.
Snow leopard is given by many names in the region- some call it the ‘Queen of the Himalayas’ others the ‘Ghost of the Mountains’. It is an indicator species of a healthy ecosystem and an apex predator in the high mountains of Asia. Among Buddhist communities, it is revered as an incarnation of Lord Buddha. Thanks- to their cultural beliefs that they saved this species from generations that today we are able to see this most elusive big cats on the planet.
Current population estimation by Global Snow Leopard & Ecosystem Protection Program(GSLEP) shows there are 4,000 to 6,500 snow leopards globally. China has the highest number of snow leopard population with estimation of 2,000-2,500. There are between 100–200 individuals in Afghanistan and Bhutan, 718 in India, 100–110 in Kazakhstan, 150–500 in Kyrgyzstan, 127 in Mongolia, 200–420 in Pakistan, 70–90 in Russia, 180–220 in Tajikistan and 20–50 in Uzbekistan. The species is currently listed as ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List category.
However, habitat fragmentation, climate change, human-wildlife conflict, illegal trade and linear infrastructure development has emerged as a growing threats of the survival of these species in the range countries. In the three-day event jointly organized by National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), Department of National Parks and Wildlife Cosnervation with the technology support from Peking University, Amity foundation, Tencent SSV and Shan Shui Conservation Center of China- participants from 10 snow leopard range countries shared national efforts, scientific findings and regional challenges. The conference concluded with the adoption of the six-points ‘Kathmandu resolution on collaboration for snow leopard conservation’ which focused on community-based conservation, transboundary cooperation, climate change mitigation, conflict resolution, feral dog threats, disease control and technology transfer.
In Mongolia railway and linear infrastructure development has posed threats to its survival. Feral dogs issues and killing of prey species has inceased the chances disease outbreaks and conflicts in China, India, Bhutan and other range countries. Livestock depredation has become the major issue in Nepal. Climate change triggering factors like erratic rainfall patterns has been the threats to habitat.
Mass killings of livestock in Mustang and Manang districts in the past has showed the increase in conflict in the region. During the last of April, 2025 snow leopard killed 8 mountain goats in the Mustang region on 30th April. To resolve these issues, predator proof corral is an effective way to secure the livestock depredation inside the shed. This activities should be carried out across the habitat region and needs further investment to secure the sheds thereby increasing the rangeland status.
On the other hand, an alarming threats of feral dogs and disease outbreaks is coming in the near future. The dogs normally follow the tourist and get strayed in the high mountain and feed on everything likes waste deposition and ultimately killing the natural prey species which increase the chances of conflict or disease transfer. Snow leopard prefers blue sheep, Himalayan Thar, Argali, Ibes, Pikas, hares and other ungulates species. So, efforts should be focused in increasing these prey species thereby securing the habitat and rangeland management in the habitat area. In Nepal, around 45% of the snow leopard’s diet consists of domestic livestocks and 42% of snow leopard habitat lies outside the protected areas. So, there is an ample opportunities in bringing the communities together in conserving this species thereby securing its habitat. Linking snow leopard to tourism will provide opportunity to the community.
GSLEP has aimed to secure at least 24 snow leopard landscape across its range. The Snow leopard landscape is defined as an area with at least 100 breeding age snow leopards supported by connectivity and adequate prey populations. .Nepal has 3 out of the 24 snow leopard landscapes- Eastern, Central and the Western landscape.
There are many actions that can be taken out in snow leopard conservation in regional scale. By strengthening trans boundary collaboration and habitat connectivity can secure the snow leopard habitat. It will also help to know the behavior and moment status of this range species. Sharing the data and creating a common data sharing platforms will help to know more about this species in the high mountain. During the conference, participants urged to develop a policy recommendation for wildlife friendly border management practices and trans boundary peace parks. If the range countries government agree on it, this will be a giant leap not only in snow leopard conservation with the whole wildlife species.
Engaging the local people in conservation can help to secure the wildlife habitat. For example, Other effective area based conservation measures (OECMs) declaration can be a way to engage the local people in conservation thereby engaging locals in wildlife monitoring, citizen scientists methods, partnership and regular patrolling activities. Creating OECMs can be a new practice. As we are in the brink of climate crisis, vulnerability assessment is key indicator to know the habitat status so that resilient habitat can be protected. One of the most measure is to promote the use of technologies.
Technology advancement and data sharing will help to manage the population and ecosystem habitats. Creating a foraging habitat for prey species and rangeland management can increase the prey species ungulates population which can help to reduce the livestock predation.
As discussed in the snow leopard conference, we need to address the issue of habitat fragmentation due to climate change, illegal trade, human-wildlife conflict, and infrastructure development. Cross-border cooperation is also another factor to be addressed as many snow leopard habitats span national boundaries.
Nepal’s recent snow leopard survey has estimated to 397 snow leopards which is about 10% of the global population. The survey is based on using the camera trapping, genetic analysis, spatial monitoring, use of citizen scientists and other advanced technologies and modelling. The population density is estimated at 1.56 individuals per 100 sq. km.
However there are still challenges as 42% of snow leopard habitats lie outside of protected areas where habitat fragmentation, human-wildlife conflict, and poaching. Around 60% of Nepal’s snow leopard population is found in the western region. However, due to climate change and habitat degradation, approximately 40% of its habitat has been lost. To address these issues, Nepal has made six years Snow Leopard Conservation Action Plan 2024–2030 to strengthen conservation efforts and ensure the long-term survival. The action plan envisions a budget of USD 14.24 million but securing the fund is challenging in the present context.
At last, Snow leopards do not have their borders and their habitat should be protected beyond the political habitat to ensure their survival. Science must remain neutral and collaborative in the amid of political tensions between the range countries these days. Conservation is a result of long-term commitment so, saving the snow leopard is not only about the conservation, it is about saving the souls of Himalaya and High Mountain.
This is the unedited version of my Article that was published in Annapurna Express in Print on 9th May 2025. The online version was published on 11th May of 2025 Article Link: