International Snow Leopard Day

India marked International Snow Leopard Day on 23 October 2025 with a nationwide awareness campaign titled ‘#23for23’, aimed at celebrating the country’s conservation milestones and raising public consciousness about protecting high-altitude ecosystems. The campaign encouraged citizens to engage in 23 minutes of physical activity to symbolise collective action for the 23 snow leopard habitats identified across India.

Public Participation and Awareness Drive

Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav, led the celebrations, acknowledging the active participation of citizens, educational institutions, and the Indian Army in the movement. The initiative highlighted the importance of involving the wider public in wildlife conservation through creative and participatory approaches that link physical fitness with ecological awareness. Activities under ‘#23for23’ included walks, treks, runs, and awareness drives held simultaneously in several Himalayan states.

India’s First Snow Leopard Census Records 718 Individuals

The Minister announced the findings of India’s first-ever Snow Leopard Census, conducted under the National Snow Leopard Ecosystem Protection Programme. The survey recorded 718 individual snow leopards across the Indian Himalayas, marking a significant milestone in the country’s conservation efforts. Ladakh emerged as the largest habitat, home to 477 of these elusive big cats, followed by Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Sikkim. The census combined camera-trap data, field surveys, and genetic analysis for the most comprehensive estimate yet of the snow leopard population.

Commitment to Global and National Conservation Goals

International Snow Leopard Day, observed annually on 23 October, reaffirms the global community’s commitment to the conservation goals set under the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Programme (GSLEP). India’s participation underscores its continued focus on science-based conservation, landscape-level habitat management, and the involvement of local communities in protecting the high-altitude regions where snow leopards thrive.

Exam Oriented Facts

• International Snow Leopard Day is celebrated every year on 23 October.
• India’s first Snow Leopard Census recorded 718 individuals across the Himalayas, with 477 in Ladakh.
• The ‘#23for23’ initiative encouraged 23 minutes of physical activity to promote conservation awareness.
• The programme aligns with the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Programme (GSLEP).

Strengthening Conservation Through Community and Science

The government emphasised that the snow leopard serves as an indicator species of the Himalayan ecosystem’s health. Strengthening local participation, eco-tourism initiatives, and scientific monitoring are key to ensuring its long-term survival. As India builds upon its conservation achievements, the ‘#23for23’ campaign stands as a reminder that protecting the snow leopard is not only about saving a species but preserving the ecological balance of the nation’s fragile mountain landscapes.