The population of snow leopards in Himachal Pradesh’s high-altitude tribal regions has surged by an impressive 62 percent over the past four years. This significant increase brings the total count from 51 in 2021 to 83, as revealed in a wildlife survey announced by officials from the state Forest Department’s Wildlife Wing last Friday.
Released on the first day of Wildlife Week (October 2–8), the report highlights the importance of sustainable conservation strategies that actively engage local communities. Notably, the count excludes cubs and exceeds the upper confidence estimate of 73 from the previous 2021 survey, suggesting a potential expansion of habitats.
The extensive study involved a large-scale camera-trapping exercise over nearly 26,000 sq km, focusing on key areas like Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur, and Pangi Valley. Researchers recorded snow leopard sightings not only in protected areas like Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary and Great Himalayan National Park but also beyond these designated zones.
In addition to snow leopards, the survey mapped populations of vital prey species such as blue sheep, Himalayan ibex, and musk deer, along with other mammals like Himalayan wolves, brown bears, leopards, red foxes, and martens. This robust assessment reflects the rich biodiversity of the region.
Of particular note, the survey documented the first official sighting of Pallas’s cat in Kinnaur and the rediscovery of the woolly flying squirrel in Lahaul. These findings further emphasize the ecological significance of the area.
Officials attribute the success of this survey to strong community involvement. Local youth and women from Kibber village in Spiti participated actively in camera trap deployments and data analysis, while forest officers collaborated with villagers during field operations. Unlike the previous survey that took three years, this assessment was remarkably completed in just one year.
Moreover, officials highlighted that the cost-effective nature of this survey has led to the establishment of a scalable framework for long-term snow leopard monitoring in India. With this achievement, Himachal Pradesh has distinguished itself as the first state in the country to conduct a second comprehensive statewide snow leopard assessment.