The population of rare snow leopards in Himachal Pradesh’s high-altitude tribal regions has grown by an impressive 62 per cent over the past four years, according to a newly released wildlife survey. The count, which stood at 51 in 2021, has now increased to 83, officials from the state Forest Department’s Wildlife Wing announced on Friday.
The survey, conducted over the previous year, marks a significant milestone in the successful implementation of long-term conservation strategies that actively involve local communities. Released on the first day of Wildlife Week (October 2–8), the report revealed that this count excluded cubs and exceeded the upper confidence estimate of 73 from the 2021 survey. This suggests a possible expansion of habitats for these elusive creatures.
The winter survey utilized a thorough camera-trapping exercise across six sites, encompassing nearly 26,000 sq km. These stunning landscapes included regions of Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur, and Pangi Valley, with notable sightings reported both within and beyond protected areas like Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary, Great Himalayan National Park, Sechu Tuan Nallah Wildlife Sanctuary, and Asrang Wildlife Sanctuary.
In addition to snow leopards, officials mapped populations of crucial prey species such as blue sheep, Himalayan ibex, and musk deer. Other mammals including Himalayan wolves, brown bears, leopards, red foxes, and martens also featured prominently in the survey results.
Noteworthy discoveries included the first official sighting of Pallas’s cat in Kinnaur and the rediscovery of the woolly flying squirrel in Lahaul, underscoring the biodiversity richness within the state.
Officials emphasized that the success of this survey significantly stemmed from active community involvement. Local youth and women from Kibber village participated in camera trap deployments and data analysis, while forest officers collaborated with villagers to support field operations. In contrast to the earlier survey which took three years for completion, this assessment was concluded in just one year.
Based on its cost-effective methodologies, the survey has managed to create a scalable framework for long-term snow leopard monitoring in India. With its comprehensive approach, Himachal Pradesh has positioned itself as the first state in the country to carry out a second statewide snow leopard assessment, reinforcing its commitment to wildlife conservation.
