towards project snow leopard - Nature Conservation Foundation

Towards Project Snow Leopard • 65
project should lead to reduction of pressures in the larger landscape and thus an
increase in natural prey of the snow leopard. It should thus reflect in an increase in
population of the snow leopard and other carnivores.
5.1.3. Creating ecological conditions for wildlife tourism, and facilitating required infrastructure:
Greater abundance of and reduced disturbance to wildlife should lead to better
visibility of wildlife. This will create opportunities for community-based wildlife
tourism that leads to enhanced revenues and involvement of local people.
5.2. Research, monitoring and information generation
5.2.1. Population estimates for snow leopard and its prey species: While the department is
making efforts to ascertain the population of snow leopards in the state, it has been
an extremely difficult task given the inherent difficulties related with the elusive
species, difficult topography and available techniques. The PSL should enable use
of all modern techniques for getting a good baseline and sustained gathering of this
information for the state.
5.2.2. Improved understanding of the nature and extent of human-wildlife conflict, and in
particular human-snow leopard conflict: This is a contentious issue and leads to losses
to the people and unpopularity of the department. Studies should be commissioned
to monitor these trends, look at the root causes and devise resolution strategies.
5.2.3. Rigorous research on wildlife ecology and human society: It is recognized that a lot of
ecological information is still missing that is critical to making informed conservation
decisions. Credible research on focused ecological subjects should be encouraged
under the PSL. It is also recognized that for implementation of most conservation
programmes, information on the society and human ecology is necessary.
5.2.4. Comprehensive inventorying of wildlife resources, in particular the snow leopard and
other associated endangered species including avifauna and other taxa: Along with the
snow leopard it is also important to monitor the prey species and some other taxa, to
know what we have and how our conservation programme is faring.
5.2.5. Documentation of high altitude vegetation, endangered plants: Vegetation is a resource
for both wildlife and the local community for their sustenance and potential monetary
benefits. Vegetation documentation, mapping, and monitoring are needed.
5.2.6. Establishing long-term monitoring and research protocols: A comprehensive long-term
monitoring and research protocol for the region needs to be established to meet the
above goals.
5.2.7. Study on the forage, biomass and productivity of the wild ungulates: This information is
largely lacking for the ungulates inhabiting the Sikkim high altitudes. It is felt that
efforts should be made to understand these aspects, especially pertaining to some of
the known fodder plants such as Carex spp., Kobresia spp., etc.