towards project snow leopard - Nature Conservation Foundation

20 • Addresses
1972. The species has been declared as endangered in the IUCN’s Red List, and listed in Appendix
I of CITES.
In the year 1994, “Himalayan Biodiversity Project” was launched in collaboration with
Wildlife Institute of India, Ministry of Environment and US Fish & Wildlife Service in the northern
states including Jammu & Kashmir. Snow leopard conservation was main focus of the project.
The conservation of snow leopard came again in focus in the year 2004. A two day
workshop was held at Jammu on 23 rd and 24 th December, to develop Project Snow Leopard. This
was a state consultation between Department of Wildlife Protection and the Nature Conservation
Foundation. A concept paper was drafted to initiate Project Snow Leopard on a large scale.
A number of scientists, scholars, and journalists of national and international repute have
published papers, written articles, and scientific reports, and made documentaries wherein they
have highlighted various issues related to snow leopard conservation. However, most of the findings
have not been supplied or shared with the Department of Wildlife Protection. A mechanism is to
be devised to get these reports available to the Department of Wildlife Protection, as a feedback for
better management of National Parks and Sanctuaries as a whole and snow leopard in particular.
In Jammu & Kashmir, the snow leopard is reported from all over Ladakh. However, its
density is higher in the centre and south of the region. It is also reported from the northern fringes
of Kishtwar High Altitude National Park, higher fringes of Thajwas Wildlife Sanctuary and is also
reported from Overa Aru Wildlife Sanctuary.
In the present scenario the snow leopard is facing lot of threats for its survival. To overcome
potential threats is need of the hour. Immediate measures are required to be taken on priority such as,
an effective policy to address degradation of habitat, control on fast growing population, awareness
among masses, check on depredation of livestock, minimizing grazing competition between natural
prey base and livestock, and effective management planning.
We would be making a big mistake if we ignore the important human dimension in the
management of wildlife in the Himalayan high altitudes. As you are aware, we have traditional
pastoral and agro-pastoral communities who have eked a living out of this harsh terrain for several
millennia now. Many of them, in fact, have played a significant historical role in protecting the
wildlife. It is of utmost importance that in our efforts to conserve wildlife, we take the local people
along. We have to ensure that their interests and welfare are safeguarded while making efforts to
conserve the wildlife.
Given the conservation value and the socio-cultural milieu of the Ladakh region, we have
a great challenge in continuing the development in a manner that promotes the local livelihoods
and at the same time does not deteriorate the environment and proves detrimental to the unique
flora and fauna of the region.
I am confident that this workshop, which is a unique gathering of eminent scientists,