SRINAGAR: The Wildlife Institute of India’s extensive survey reveals Ladakh union Territory as a key contributor to the snow leopard population, securing the highest count of 477 Leopards.
During the first-ever Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India, Union Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, presented the report at the National Board for Wildlife meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday.
Conducted from 2019 to 2023, this comprehensive survey utilized camera traps and trail surveys strategically placed across the trans-Himalayan region.
Ladakh, along with Jammu and Kashmir, played a pivotal role in this nationwide initiative, covering over 70% of the potential snow leopard range.
The Snow Leopard Population Assessment found 718 leopards in India. Ladakh stood out with 477, showing its crucial role in protecting these vulnerable species.
The report also recommends the establishment of a dedicated snow leopard cell at the Wildlife Institute of India, stressing long-term population monitoring and consistent field surveys for effective conservation strategies.
