The rare snow leopards in Himachal Pradesh have experienced a remarkable population rise of 62 percent over the past four years, as revealed by the latest wildlife survey conducted by the state Forest Department’s Wildlife Wing. The population grew from 51 in 2021 to 83 in total, marking a significant increase.
Released on October 2, the first day of Wildlife Week, the survey demonstrates the effectiveness of long-term conservation strategies that actively incorporate local community participation. This year-long study exceeded the upper confidence estimate of 73 from the 2021 survey, suggesting a potential expansion of habitats for these magnificent creatures.
The comprehensive survey utilized camera-trapping exercises across six locations, surveying over 26,000 sq km of high-altitude terrain. Key areas included Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur, and Pangi valley, where researchers recorded snow leopard sightings beyond protected enclaves such as Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary and Great Himalayan National Park.
In addition to snow leopards, the survey highlighted populations of vital prey species, including blue sheep, Himalayan ibex, and musk deer, as well as a variety of other mammals like Himalayan wolves, brown bears, leopards, red foxes, and martens.
Noteworthy findings included the first official sighting of Pallas’s cat in Kinnaur and the surprising rediscovery of the woolly flying squirrel in Lahaul, showcasing the rich biodiversity of Himachal Pradesh.
Officials attributed the successful survey outcome to the active involvement of community members. Local youths and women from Kibber village in Spiti took part in deploying camera traps and analyzing the collected data. The collaboration between forest officers and villagers led to seamless field operations. Unlike the previous survey that extended over three years, this assessment concluded within just one year.
The efficient and cost-effective execution of this survey has paved the way for a scalable framework for long-term snow leopard monitoring in India. This marks Himachal Pradesh as the first state in the country to conduct a second statewide snow leopard assessment.
