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Shimla, Nov 2 (IANS) The trans-Himalayan ecosystem in Himachal is home to 83 widely roamed snow leopards, an iconic species often known as the “Ghost of the Mountains”, a huge increase from 51 as per the previous assessment in 2021.
The second round of assessment of snow leopard population in 26,000 sq km of snow leopard habitat spread across rugged mountains and steep valleys with limited access during winters till 2024-25 by the State Wildlife Wing in collaboration with Nature Conservation Foundation indicates that its density ranges from 0.16 to 0.53 individuals per 100 sq km.
The highest density of snow leopards was recorded in the upper Spiti landscape of Lahaul-Spiti district and the trans-Himalayan areas of Pin, with the area of Kinnaur and Tabo being the area of highest density.
Lahaul-Pangi and the Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, were low-density areas.
The density of snow leopards across the state was 0.35 (0.23–0.53) individuals per 100 km² and the estimated density was 5.2 (4.7–5.8) km².
Apart from Himachal, snow leopard is also found in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.
The Hemis-Spiti landscape has been identified as one of the 20 landscapes to secure healthy populations of snow leopards across the cat’s range. Himachal Pradesh is home to unique high altitude wildlife including blue sheep, ibex and the prey species of Himalayan musk deer, snow leopard.
Other notable mammals in the snow leopard’s habitat are the brown bear, common leopard, red fox, stone mongoose, mountain mongoose and yellow-throated mongoose.
The study, “Status of Snow Leopards and Hunting in Himachal Pradesh”, recorded 44 snow leopards on 262 independent searches. From this dataset of 44 individuals, researchers estimate that the snow leopard population size is likely to be 83 (67–103) individuals.
In the low level area (Lahaul-Pangi and GHNP), they are estimated at 24 (19–30) individuals and in the high level area (Upper Spiti landscape and Kinnaur), they are estimated at 59 (48–73) individuals.
Camera trapping surveys not only collected data on the snow leopard, but also caught the Pallas cat in Kinnaur, a species that had never been officially recorded before, and the woolly flying squirrel, whose presence in the state was unknown for several decades.
Local people were engaged in fieldwork for the camera trapping exercise. The survey included at least 23 people from the snow leopard landscape. He received ample support from NCF researchers, frontline staff of the state wildlife wing and other villagers.
Women’s involvement in camera trapping went far beyond simply setting up equipment. The study said he demonstrated remarkable skill in analyzing images captured by the camera. The women of Kibber proved through their training and determination that with the right support and resources, local communities, especially women, can play a transformative role in biodiversity conservation.
The second round of population estimates estimated 83 individuals, while the first round, which ended in 2021, estimated 51 snow leopards, the report said. Additionally, researchers observed cubs in several areas, indicating the presence of breeding individuals.
Snow leopards were recorded either as resident individuals of the population or as dispersing individuals navigating through these connecting habitats.
The report said that although the number of snow leopards in Himachal Pradesh is not decreasing, there is still a major threat to their population. Ranging from countermeasures efforts due to their livestock depredatory behaviour, to habitat loss due to unplanned development projects, there is still a need for active and innovative conservation interventions.
Researchers point to a worrying trend of the increasing presence and impact of dogs roaming freely in snow leopard habitat. Dogs have been known to spread diseases to snow leopards, kill wildlife, including snow leopards’ key prey species, and drive snow leopards away from their prey.
Both evaluations generated knowledge that forms a strong foundation on which to develop a better understanding of the motivations and views of local communities, which should remain central to all snow leopard conservation efforts.
The state released its first comprehensive report on snow leopard population survey in 2021, India’s first example of state-wide assessment of the species twice.
(Vishal Gulati can be contacted at vishal.g@ians.in)
–IANS
GG/VD