Year-Round Snow Leopards Now Resident in Jammu & Kashmir

Recent exploration in Jammu and Kashmir( J&K) has verified a significant shift in the geste of snow leopards. Traditionally seen as migrant callers, these fugitive herbivores are now codified as resident species within the Kishtwar Himalayan region, a finding grounded on expansive camera- trap checks conducted by the Nature Conservation Foundation( NCF) and the Department of Wildlife Protection, J&K.

This long- term study involved placing 22 camera traps across three denes the Kishtwar High Altitude National Park( KHANP), Paddar, and Warwan. Results verified the time-round presence of about 12 adult snow leopards, with substantiation suggesting the figure could reach as high as 20 individualities. This is a major evidence that J&K now hosts a endless population.

The change in status has substantial counteraccusations for conservation sweats. Until now, unverified reports and migrant hypotheticals have left snow leopard occupants in J&K largely unmonitored. With this resident population verified, India’s current Snow Leopard Population Assessment and protection strategies take on new urgency. The presence of these pussycats time- round could indicate that the region offers sufficient prey and niche, as well as bettered conservation issues.

India’s broader snow leopard check, initiated under the government’s directions in 2020, was concluded in J&K this time, following former assessments in countries similar as Himachal Pradesh( 80 leopards), Uttarakhand( 100), Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh( 20 each), and Ladakh( 400). Encyclopedically, there are an estimated 4,000 – 6,500 snow leopards across the high mountains of Central and South Asia, with India recognised for both its western and eastern populations.

still, the new finding brings significant challenges. utmost territories feeding to snow leopards in J&K are outside defended zones and lap with areas where pastoralist communities graze beast. This can affect in beast depredation, crop damage, and mortal- wildlife conflict, fostering negative comprehensions amongst original communities.

To address these enterprises, the Indian Government launched Project Snow Leopard in 2008 and lately enforced the SPAI( Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India) action. The thing is n't only to cover these flagship species but also to model concurrence with mortal conditioning and help niche declination or coddling.

Experts stress that only cooperative strategies will help snow leopards thrive. Alongside careful operation of community relations and compensation mechanisms, climate change adaption will be crucial. The Himalayan ecosystems where temperatures and rush patterns are shifting — bear flexible conservation protocols.

The establishment of resident snow leopards in J&K signals success for conservation groups but also highlights critical requirements ongoing exploration, niche preservation, and strategies that cover both wildlife and the livelihoods of original people. This progress provides a unique occasion for India to show transnational stylish practices in high- altitude foliage and fauna operation and sets the stage for unborn environmental policy.