A recent report jointly released by the Government of India and non-profit organisations has shed light on the status of snow leopards in the country, revealing both accomplishments and challenges in their conservation efforts.

The report disclosed that India is home to 718 snow leopards, but concerns arise as only one-third of their habitat enjoys legal protection. With a focus on the 120,000 square kilometers (sq km) snow leopard habitat in the country, the report highlighted that a mere 34 percent of this vital space is legally safeguarded, leaving approximately 70 percent exposed to potential threats.

Underlining the urgency for a dedicated approach, the report suggested the establishment of a Snow Leopard Cell at the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in Dehradun, operating under the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).

This proposed cell's primary objectives would encompass long-term population monitoring, organised studies, and consistent field surveys to ensure the sustainable preservation of the snow leopard population.

The report recommended a periodic population estimation approach, proposing that states and Union territories (UTs) consider conducting assessments every fourth year within the snow leopard range. These regular evaluations aim to provide crucial insights into challenges, threats, and the formulation of effective conservation strategies.

Addressing the need for an updated assessment, the report urged a re-evaluation of the snow leopard population in India, highlighting the importance of this process against the earlier estimate of 400-700 individuals in a global population ranging from 4,000-7,500.

The Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India (SPAI), conducted over four years (2019-2023) by the WII, along with partners Nature Conservation Foundation, Mysuru, and World Wildlife Fund for Nature-India, played a crucial role in gathering data. Researchers strategically placed camera traps at 1,971 locations across Union Territories of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir, as well as states such as Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.

The camera traps successfully captured images of 241 unique snow leopards, revealing regional concentrations. Ladakh emerged as a prominent habitat, hosting 477 individuals, followed by Uttarakhand (124) and Himachal Pradesh (51). Sikkim and Jammu and Kashmir recorded 21 and nine individuals, respectively.

Highlighting the historical context, the report traced the commencement of systematic surveys for snow leopards back to the 1980s, primarily in Ladakh and later extending to Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

The report addressed the undefined snow leopard range in India, attributing it to the lack of comprehensive nationwide analysis. It emphasised that only 5 percent or one-third of the region was covered before 2016, while the latest figures now provide a range for 80 percent of the area, showcasing progress from 56 percent coverage in 2016.