An international conference on snow leopard conservation, convened in Nepal recently, brought together experts, academicians, researchers, and policymakers from the 12 snow leopard range countries to strengthen scientific collaboration and conservation efforts. The conference focused on cross-border coordination and knowledge exchange to ensure the long-term survival of the snow leopard.
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 an estimate 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 have emerged as growing threats to the survival of these species in the range countries. During the three-day conference—jointly organized by Peking University, National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), Tencent Foundation and the Shan Shui Conservation Center—participants 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’ that focuses on community-based conservation, transboundary cooperation, climate change mitigation, conflict resolution, feral dog threats, disease control and technology transfer.
GSLEP has aimed to secure at least 24 snow leopard landscapes 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 three out of the 24 snow leopard landscapes- Eastern, Central and the Western landscape.
There are many actions that can be taken in snow leopard conservation on a 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 platform 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’ governments agree on it, this will be a giant leap not only in snow leopard conservation with the whole wildlife species.
Engaging 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 a climate crisis, vulnerability assessment is a key indicator to know the habitat status so that resilient habitat can be protected. One of the best measures 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 397 snow leopards which is about 10 percent 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 percent of snow leopard habitats lie outside of protected areas where habitat fragmentation, human-wildlife conflict, and poaching. Around 60 percent of Nepal’s snow leopard population is found in the western region. However, due to climate change and habitat degradation, approximately 40 percent of its habitat has been lost. To address these issues, Nepal has made a six year Snow Leopard Conservation Action Plan 2024–2030 to strengthen conservation efforts and ensure long-term survival. The action plan envisions a budget of $14.24m but securing the fund is challenging in the present context.
Lastly, 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 midst 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 conservation, it is about saving the souls of the Himalaya and High Mountain.
