The population of snow leopards in Himachal Pradesh’s high-altitude tribal regions surged by 62% over four years, a newly released wildlife survey reported. The count increased from 51 in 2021 to 83, officials from the state Forest Department’s Wildlife Wing announced on Friday.
This remarkable growth reflects the success of ongoing conservation strategies that actively engage local communities. The survey, launched on the first day of Wildlife Week (October 2–8), excluded cubs and surpassed the upper confidence estimate of 73 from the 2021 assessment, suggesting a potential expansion of habitats.
A large-scale camera-trapping exercise facilitated the study across six sites, encompassing nearly 26,000 sq km. Snow leopards and their habitats were identified in diverse locations, including Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur, and Pangi valley. The survey recorded sightings not only within protected areas like Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary and Great Himalayan National Park but also in regions beyond these sanctuaries.
In addition to snow leopards, the survey examined populations of key prey species such as blue sheep, Himalayan ibex, and musk deer. It also documented the presence of other mammals, including Himalayan wolves, brown bears, leopards, red foxes, and martens.
Notably, the survey unveiled the first official sighting of Pallas’s cat in Kinnaur and marked the rediscovery of the woolly flying squirrel in Lahaul, emphasizing the rich biodiversity of the region.
Officials attributed the survey’s success to significant community involvement. Local youth and women from Kibber village in Spiti played integral roles in deploying camera traps and analyzing data. Field operations also benefitted from the collaboration of forest officers and villagers. In contrast to the previous survey, which spanned three years, this assessment concluded in just one year.
The survey not only stands out due to its efficiency but also due to its cost-effective approach. It establishes a scalable framework for long-term snow leopard monitoring in India. As a result, Himachal Pradesh has become the first state in the nation to conduct a second statewide snow leopard assessment.
