The population of rare snow leopards in Himachal Pradesh has surged by an astonishing 62 percent over the past four years, as revealed by a new wildlife survey released on the first day of Wildlife Week (October 2–8). The survey indicates that the count has risen from 51 in 2021 to 83 snow leopards.
Officials from the state Forest Department’s Wildlife Wing announced this encouraging news on Friday. Conducted over the last year, the survey showcases the success of ongoing conservation strategies that actively involve local communities.
The report highlighted that the figure of 83 snow leopards represents only adult leopards, excluding cubs. Furthermore, it surpassed the upper confidence estimate of 73 derived from the 2021 survey, hinting at a potential expansion of habitats in the region.
This study relied on a large-scale camera-trapping exercise that spanned six sites, covering an impressive area of nearly 26,000 sq km. The survey identified snow leopards and their habitats in key regions like Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur, and Pangi valley, with notable sightings occurring not only inside protected areas but also beyond, extending to Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary and Great Himalayan National Park.
The survey did not just focus on snow leopards, but also mapped the numbers of various prey species, such as blue sheep and Himalayan ibex, along with other mammals including Himalayan wolves, brown bears, leopards, red foxes, and martens. In a significant finding, the report features the first official sighting of the elusive Pallas’s cat in Kinnaur, and the rediscovery of the woolly flying squirrel in Lahaul.
Experts attribute the success of this survey to strong community involvement. Local youth and women from Kibber village in Spiti played pivotal roles in deploying camera traps and analyzing data. Their collaborations, alongside forest officers, led to a streamlined field operation, enabling this survey’s completion in less than a year, as compared to the three years required for the previous one.
Officials noted that this cost-effective survey has established a scalable framework for long-term snow leopard monitoring in India. With these advancements, Himachal Pradesh has become the first state in the country to conduct a second statewide snow leopard assessment.
The rise in the snow leopard population signifies effective conservation measures and highlights the importance of continuing efforts to protect these iconic species and their habitats. The results have sparked hope for future wildlife studies, indicating that with community cooperation, significant improvements can occur in wildlife conservation.
