Understanding snow leopard populations and other high-altitude wildlife

Snow leopards are often called "ghosts of the mountains" because they are so rarely seen. But did you know that most of the areas where they roam aren’t part of protected parks or reserves? Instead, they share these spaces with local communities whose lives and livelihoods are deeply connected to the landscape. Snow leopards and their habitats currently face severe global threats, including rapid climate change, habitat degradation, prey depletion, retaliation due to livestock depredation, poaching, and illegal wildlife trade. 

Across India, much of the research on snow leopards has focused on the trans-Himalayan region, whereas, the Greater Himalayas of the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir also harbour potential snow leopard habitat. The high-altitude region of Jammu and Kashmir is also a source of local and regional ecosystem services such as fresh water used by millions of people living downstream and in the plains, and sustains unique high-altitude cultures.

Recognizing the importance of protecting these regions, the Government of India launched Project Snow Leopard in 2008. The goal was simple: conserve high-altitude wildlife like snow leopards while ensuring that local communities are part of the process. This is where our work comes in.

Surveying snow leopards in uncharted territories

As part of a nationwide effort to assess snow leopard populations, we teamed up with the Jammu and Kashmir Wildlife Department to update snow leopard distribution in the region and also estimate the population of snow leopards. We deployed  camera traps in some of the most remote areas  covering 5 different landscapes, 2 within the Kashmir region and 3 within the Jammu region. More than 160 cameras were placed in long stretches of valleys surrounded by villages and people, covering an area of about 4 times of the National Capital Territory of New Delhi on foot.

For a region that had no confirmed records of snow leopards just a few years ago, this new population estimate is both groundbreaking and inspiring.

In 2022-2023, J&K Wildlife Department and NCF's efforts successfully confirmed the presence of snow leopards in Jammu and Kashmir, which was previously uncertain.

We predicted the distribution of snow leopards based on data collected across approximately 12,000 km2 from the Union Territory  of Jammu and Kashmir, India. We estimated the presence of up to 20 individual snow leopards in the Union Territory, although efforts are ongoing to refine this number. This affirmed its significance as a potential and crucial snow leopard habitat. 

In addition to snow leopards, our cameras recorded 19 other mammal species, including the rare and endangered Himalayan brown bear, woolly flying squirrel (first reported record!), Kashmir musk deer, and Himalayan wolf. 

Our work indicates that within J&K, the Kishtwar Himalayas harbour the main snow leopard population. This includes the Kishtwar High Altitude National Park (about 5 individuals), the Paddar landscape (about 6 individuals) and the Warwan region (at least 1 individual). The Thajiwas-Zojila axis in Kashmir is also a good place for the elusive cat.

Sharing the wonder about J&K's high-altitude wildlife

We also work with local stakeholders such as the Wildlife Department and Research Institutions to build capacity for research in the high altitudes. This ranges from sharing knowledge about field methods to sharing expertise on analysing the data, especially from camera traps. Besides, we conduct awareness activities such as photo exhibitions and day camps with various younger age groups such as school children to instill a joy of nature and knowledge about the wildlife of the high altitudes of Jammu and Kashmir. The idea with these activities is to build the future base of researchers and conservationists from the region. Over 90 youth, wildlife officials, and students have been trained to assist with monitoring efforts, ensuring that conservation work is grounded in local knowledge and participation.

Way Forward

Moving forward, our next steps involve continuing to monitor snow leopards in key areas and working across the Kishtwar Himalayas in the long-term. The idea is to understand how snow leopards are using this landscape across space and time, especially in navigating different types of land uses, seasonal variations and climate-driven changes such as glacial melt. We are also committed to better understanding threats faced by snow leopards and other mammals in this landscape such that we can devise appropriate conservation interventions. Finally, our training is channeled to ensure this work is led in the near future entirely by the local people, especially the youth, of the region.