New Delhi, Jan 30: India is home to an estimated 718 snow leopards, according to a report released by the Union Environment Ministry on Tuesday. The region of Ladakh reported the highest number, with 477 of these majestic cats.

Conducted between 2019 and 2023, the first-of-its-kind ‘Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India’ (SPAI) was carried out by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) with the collaborative support of snow leopard range states and conservation partners, including the Nature Conservation Foundation, Mysuru, and WWF-India.

During the National Board for Wildlife meeting held on Tuesday, Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav unveiled the comprehensive report. In a statement, the ministry highlighted that SPAI is a groundbreaking scientific effort providing valuable insights into the snow leopard population in India.

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The SPAI covered over 70% of the potential snow leopard range across the country, engaging forest and wildlife personnel, researchers, volunteers, and knowledge partners. Spanning approximately 1,20,000 km2 of critical snow leopard habitat in the trans-Himalayan region, including Union territories of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir, and states such as Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.

The assessment used a meticulous two-step framework. The first step involved evaluating snow leopard spatial distribution, considering habitat covariates and aligning with the guidelines of the national population assessment of snow leopards set by the environment ministry in 2019. The second step estimated snow leopard abundance using camera traps in identified stratified regions.

Throughout the SPAI exercise, a total of 13,450 km of trails were surveyed for recording snow leopard signs, and camera traps were set up at 1,971 locations for 180,000 trap nights. Snow leopard occupancy was identified in 93,392 km2, with a presence estimated in 1,00,841 km2. A total of 241 unique snow leopards were photographed.

The data analysis revealed that Ladakh hosts the highest snow leopard population, with an estimated 477 individuals. Other states reported as follows: Uttarakhand 124, Himachal Pradesh 51, Arunachal Pradesh 36, Sikkim 21, and Jammu and Kashmir 9.

Prior to recent years, the ranges of snow leopards in India remained undefined due to a lack of extensive nationwide assessments for this vulnerable species. The report noted a significant increase in understanding, with recent status surveys providing preliminary information for 80% of the range (about 79,745 km2), compared to 56% in 2016.

The report also emphasized the necessity of establishing a dedicated Snow Leopard Cell at WII under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). This cell would focus on long-term population monitoring supported by well-structured study designs and consistent field surveys.

To ensure the long-term survival of snow leopards, the report suggested states and Union Territories adopt a periodic population estimation approach (every fourth year) in the snow leopard range. Regular assessments are deemed crucial for identifying challenges, addressing threats, and formulating effective conservation strategies.