Srinagar, Oct 13: J&K’s high-altitude snow leopard habitats are up for a scientific upgrade. A stronger scientific monitoring framework has been initiated as India steps up the use of population estimation, radio telemetry and genetic analysis to conserve the elusive, enigmatic Himalayan big cat.
At the Russia-India Roundtable Meeting on Snow Leopard Study and Conservation held in Moscow last month, India highlighted its science-based snow leopard conservation efforts. The officials from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Wildlife Institute of India showcased advances in scientific tools for monitoring the species and strengthening conservation measures.
J&K is home to a small but significant snow leopard population. The first nationwide Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India (SPAI) estimated nine individuals in J&K. However, subsequent camera-trap research has pointed to a potentially larger population. Studies covering around 12,000 square kilometres of J&K identified potential snow leopard habitat and estimated the presence of up to 20 individuals. This is spread across the Kishtwar Himalayas, including Paddar, Warwan and Kishtwar High Altitude National Park.
The species faces growing pressure from livestock grazing, competition with wild prey for pasture, habitat disturbance and human-wildlife conflict. Climate change is an additional concern that could shrink suitable high-altitude habitat and allow more adaptable common leopards to move into snow leopard areas and replace their habitats.
India’s policy for big cats could have particular relevance for J&K, which forms part of the snow leopard’s range in the western Himalayas. Kishtwar High Altitude National Park and adjoining high-altitude landscapes, including Paddar, have emerged as significant areas for snow leopard research. The species is also believed to inhabit remote alpine and sub-alpine terrain where conventional wildlife monitoring is difficult. Technologies such as camera trapping, radio telemetry and genetic sampling are increasingly important in such areas.
The latest national push towards scientific monitoring could therefore provide an opportunity to understand J&K’s snow leopard population, its movement patterns, and genetic diversity. It could also help in understanding interaction with human-used landscapes.
The Russia-India meeting was organised under a partnership between the Interregional Association ‘Irbis’ and the International Big Cat Alliance. The aim of the high-level interaction between countries was to strengthen international cooperation in snow leopard research and conservation. The discussions also focused on collaborative approaches to monitoring and scientific study of the threatened cats.
In J&K, snow leopard habitats overlap with areas used for livestock grazing. Better scientific information could also help authorities strengthen habitat protection and help address potential human-wildlife conflict.
The government is now initiating the second phase of the Snow Leopard Population Assessment (SPAI 2.0). The improved monitoring is expected to provide a clearer picture of the status and distribution of the species on J&K’s high-altitude landscapes.
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