The monitoring of the rare wildlife species, the snow leopard, has begun in Upper Mustang. The monitoring assisted by camera trapping method at three locations of Mustang is expected to present the existing status of the animal and its number.

The rising cases of human-snow leopard conflict here have prompted the monitoring.

Annapurna Conservation Area Project Office Chief, Umesh Paudel, said 12 cameras have been fitted in the area around Baragung Muktikshetra-3, above the Thurlungphant of Lomanthang and above the Lomanthang market.

The initiative aims to determine further measures for protecting the animal by managing human-animal conflict. There are concerns over inconveniences caused by the annuals to locals including the losses of their livestock 

The snow leopard known as the Queen of Himalayas, has a significant contribution to the ecosystem, carrying the religious, cultural and biological values here.

It is said there has been an urgent need to protect the animal and the traditional livestock farming here simultaneously with the implementation of new measures for the management of snow leopard. "The locals have been practicing livestock farming for centuries, and now is the time to implement new programs for sustainable management of animals, keeping the farming safe and undamaged," he said.

Prior to this, the ACAP had been monitoring the status of the animal at various locations in the district with the help of 31 cameras.

It is said that the lifestyle of the animal has changed due to the impact of climate change. The reports are that the snow leopards come down to the lower altitude areas following its prey, mainly Naur (The Himalayan Blue Sheep), that has started shifting down in the absence of alpine grassland in the highlands as a result of climate change.