towards project snow leopard - Nature Conservation Foundation

Towards Project Snow Leopard • 49
postings in the high altitudes are often considered as a ‘punishment postings’ and the
personnel lose interest in working there.
1.2.2. Generally low priority to the biodiversity sector: As mentioned above, this sector is often
considered ‘non-productive’ and is given much lower priority, than for example, the
Animal Husbandry Department. Scarcity of resources and manpower become serious
constraints for effective conservation work.
1.2.3. Lack of manpower and infrastructure (even in existing PAs): The area is characterized
by a general scarcity of staff. Estimates show that a single forest guard is sometimes
expected to manage mountainous terrain ranging from c. 600 to 1000 km 2 .
1.2.4. Delays in release of funds, often available only at the end of financial year: Due to the
severe cold, the high altitudes have a very short working season for most management
related work such as plantation, civil works, and tourism. On the other hand, the
funds often become available just before winter sets in, when most management
activities cannot be undertaken effectively.
1.3. Ecological and Information Constraints
1.3.1. Inadequate baseline of wildlife populations/species: For most areas, including PAs,
reliable data on animal abundances are largely unavailable. The main problem is due
to the difficult access, staff scarcity, lack of resources and training. Without baseline
data and continued monitoring programmes, it is not possible to evaluate the impact
of management activities, or even the setting up of PAs.
1.3.2. Need for better, more extensive wildlife population monitoring: Proper monitoring
programmes will enable better decision making by wildlife managers.
1.3.3. Need for intelligence information on extent of hunting/ hunters: This is again related
to the poor access, lack of staff and resources. More often than not, the relationship
between the forest department staff and the local communities is not cordial, which
limits the desired levels of co-operation between them.
1.3.4. Lack of habitat assessments and improvement initiatives: Most of the high altitude
habitats are used by people. There is poor understanding of the impacts of such
resource use on wildlife, and for information needed to develop effective management
programmes to improve the status of wildlife and their habitats.
1.3.5. Need for socio-economic monitoring, in particular of migratory herders: In most of the
area local people are almost entirely dependent on local natural resources for their
sustenance. Wildlife management, especially in the PAs, needs to be sensitive to the
genuine needs of this dependent population. A good understanding of the local
society, traditional customs of resource management and economics will greatly help
decision making. Such information is largely lacking for the region.
1.3.6. Need for better conflict management, including ways of effectively off-setting economic