First national protocol to count India’s Snow Leopard population launched
On the occasion of International Snow Leopard Day, Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) launched the first national protocol to enumerate the population of this elusive and endangered species of snow leopard in India. The Day is celebrated on 23 October every year to protect and conserve snow leopards and preserve beautiful wildlife of Himalayas.
Key Highlights
The Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India (SPAI) will contribute to global ‘Population Assessment of the World’s Snow Leopard’s (PAWS) initiative.
Its launch was announced at the inaugural session of 4th steering committee meeting of Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program (GSLEP), held in New Delhi. In the GSLEP, delegates from countries including Nepal, Bhutan and Mongolia discussed conservation efforts and reviewed steps to be taken for future protection of the high-altitude predator.
It was decided at the meet that-
- All Snow leopard range countries can work together and enumerate the number of snow leopards. Also, these countries must strive to double snow leopard population in the coming decade.
- Need of the hour is green economy and cross country cooperation for the conservation of wildlife.
Snow Leopards in India
India is believed to have about 400 to 700 snow leopards spread across Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim.
Snow leopards are top predators, thus play a critical role in their ecosystem. Poaching is a major threat for them.
Project Snow Leopard is an initiative of Environment Ministry. It aims to safeguard and conserve India’s unique natural heritage of high altitude wildlife populations and their habitats by promoting conservation via participatory policies and actions.
NOTE:
Snow leopards, which live primarily in mountainous regions of Central and Southern Asia are extremely difficult to spot, which further makes it tough to accurately estimate their population. Worldwide, less than 2% of snow leopard habitats have been sampled to assess their population.
Related Posts
Month: Current Affairs - October, 2019