International Snow Leopard Day is celebrated globally on October 23 to raise awareness for the conservation of this rare cat, which is an indicator of a healthy Himalayan ecosystem. The theme for this year's observation was "Protecting the Silent Guardians."
The snow leopard is found in only 12 countries, including Nepal, Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, and others. Current global population estimates range from 4,000 to 7,000. Nepal's latest official count is 397, inhabiting 30,500 sq km of high-altitude terrain. According to the recent official data, China has the largest population with 2,500, followed by Mongolia (953), India (718), Nepal (397), and Bhutan (134).
Conservation challenges
Major threats to snow leopard conservation are categorized as internal and external. Internal challenges include habitat degradation due to climate change and a decrease in their natural prey. External threats are poaching and illegal trade. Another significant issue is human-wildlife conflict, where locals retaliate against the leopards for preying on livestock.
Dr. Buddhisagar Paudel, Director General of the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, also pointed out challenges such as retaliatory killings, geographical difficulties, and a lack of proper technology, personnel, and budget for effective monitoring. The snow leopard, which is shy and elusive, is generally found at elevations of 540 to 5,000 meters and is listed as globally vulnerable by the IUCN.
Conservation efforts and coordination
In response to these challenges, Nepal's Ministry of Forests has prioritized conservation by implementing the "Snow Leopard Conservation and Action Plan (2024–2030)." The National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) works to reduce human-leopard conflict by helping communities build secure enclosures for livestock. NTNC also runs community-based conservation programs in Manang and uses camera-traps for monitoring in the Manaslu, Gauri Shankar, and Annapurna Conservation areas.
The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Nepal supports habitat monitoring, conflict reduction through community involvement, and essential cross-border, regional, and international cooperation. Experts stress that bilateral and international collaboration is crucial, as the snow leopard's movements, such as the one tracked from Nepal's Kanchenjunga into India and Bhutan, underscore the need for a cooperative, trans-boundary approach to protecting this magnificent, yet understudied, species.
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