SNOW LEOPARD: KYRGYZSTAN’S NATIONAL SYMBOL

Range Countries

1. The Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia) is found in the mountainous regions of Central and South Asia.
2. 12 Range countries include Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

Significance

1. The Snow Leopard is culturally significant, often revered in the traditions of countries like Kyrgyzstan, symbolizing strength and resilience.
2. Ecologically, it plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of its high-altitude habitat.

Threats

1. Depletion of its natural prey, hunting and poaching, conflicts with humans leading to killing, and the illegal trade of its fur and bones.

Conservation Status

1. The Snow Leopard is listed as "Vulnerable" on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, indicating a high risk of extinction in the wild.
2. Included in Schedule I of Wildlife Protection Act (WPA), 1972 and Appendix I of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

Global and Indian Population:

1. Global estimates suggest there are between 4k and 6.5k Snow Leopards in the wild.
2. China has the highest snow leopard population.
3. In India, the population is estimated to be around 700-800 individuals.
4. Hemis national park, Ladakh: Snow leopard Capital of world
5. State Animal: Ladakh & Himachal Pradesh

Worldwide

1. Snow Leopard Trust: An organization working to protect Snow Leopards and their habitat through community-based conservation programs.
2. Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program (GSLEP): Aimed to secure 20 landscapes across the Snow Leopard range by 2020.

India

1. Project Snow Leopard: Launched by the Government of India in 2009, it focuses on conserving the Snow Leopard and its high-altitude ecosystems.
2. Community Involvement: Many conservation initiatives involve local communities, recognizing their role in protecting Snow Leopards and reducing human-wildlife conflict. Eg; Himal Sanrakshak
3. Snow Leopard Population Count: An important step in 2019 was the introduction of the First National Protocol for enhancing population monitoring.
4. Ministry's Recovery Programme: The Snow Leopard holds a critical position on the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change's list of 21 critically endangered species targeted for recovery. This underscores the government's commitment to addressing the conservation challenges faced by this majestic species.
5. Snow Leopard Conservation Breeding Programme: Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, West Bengal