The population of rare snow leopards in the high-altitude tribal regions of Himachal Pradesh has surged by an impressive 62 percent over the past four years, according to a newly released wildlife survey. The count, which stood at 51 in 2021, has now increased to 83, state Forest Department officials announced on Friday.
This survey, conducted over the past year, underscores the success of long-term conservation strategies actively engaging local communities. The announcement, made on October 2, the first day of Wildlife Week, excludes cubs from this count and reveals a growth beyond the upper confidence estimate of 73 from the 2021 survey. This increase suggests a possible expansion of habitats for the snow leopards.
The study involved a large-scale camera-trapping exercise administered across six sites, covering nearly 26,000 square kilometers. Snow leopards and their habitats were identified in Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur, and Pangi valley, with significant sightings recorded not only within but also beyond protected areas such as Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary, Great Himalayan National Park, Sechu Tuan Nallah Wildlife Sanctuary, and Asrang Wildlife Sanctuary.
In addition to snow leopards, the survey mapped populations of prey species, including blue sheep, Himalayan ibex, and musk deer, alongside other mammals such as Himalayan wolves, brown bears, leopards, red foxes, and martens. Notably, it documented the first official sighting of the Pallas’s cat in Kinnaur and the rediscovery of the woolly flying squirrel in Lahaul, further emphasizing the state’s rich biodiversity.
Officials attributed the survey’s success to substantial community involvement. Local youth and women from Kibber village in Spiti assisted with camera trap deployments and data analysis, while forest officers and villagers supported field operations. This collaborative approach enabled the survey to be completed within just one year, a significant reduction from the three years taken for the previous assessment.
The cost-effective survey has fostered the creation of a scalable framework for long-term snow leopard monitoring in India. With this accomplishment, Himachal Pradesh has become the first state in the country to conduct a second statewide snow leopard assessment, setting a precedent for wildlife conservation and habitat management efforts in the region.
