Himachal Pradesh has emerged as the state with the highest estimated snow leopard population in India, with statewide numbers reaching 83 adults (up from 51 in the 2021 baseline survey). Led by the Wildlife Institute of India and executed by the state forest department along with the Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF), the assessment covered roughly 26,000 square kilometers using intensive camera trapping across high-altitude habitats.
Environment Pulse Desk: The snow leopards of Himachal Pradesh have gone from being endangered to becoming the most populous state in India, with an estimate statewide population as high as 83.
Directed by Wildlife Institute of India, the scientific assessment across Himachal Pradesh has estimated the snow leopard population at 83 adults—significantly higher than 51 animals found in baseline survey conducted in 2021. The most recent survey involved large scale camera trapping across high altitude habitats with areas of major concentration identified around Kaza in the Spiti Valley.
The survey was undertaken by the Wildlife Wing of the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department and in collaboration with the Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF), which estimated that almost 26,000 square kilometres were suitable snow leopard habitat. In total, forty-four uniquely identifiable adult snow leopards were recorded across six representative landscapes using camera traps for 262 detections. Spatially explicit capture-recapture analysis produced a statewide population estimate of 83 (95% Confidence Interval: 67–103) excluding cubs.
The maximum densities were found in Spiti and Pin Valley, followed by Upper Kinnaur and Tabo. Away from the region around Kaza, in an area with high snow leopard populations known as Losar, Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary and surrounding high-altitude plateaus 12 different individual snow leopards were identified from 90 detections.
The assessment used the methodology, prescribed by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for Snow Leopard (Populations Assessment of India (SPAI). Frontline forest personnel conducted fieldwork, while local youth harnessed data from Kibber and, importantly, an indigenous women team (from the village) was also involved in data analysis.
Snow leopards were recorded both in and outside protected areas; the role of community-managed landscapes in conservation is thus highlighted. This survey enhanced our understanding of blue sheep and Himalayan ibex, the prey species, and included highlights with other high-altitude mammals as well.
The rise may reflect true population growth, increased prey availability and progress in survey methodology, officials said. Finished in a year compared to three years for the 2021 exercise, it lays a much firmer footing for long-term monitoring and community-led conservation. This second statewide snow leopard population assessment is completed by Himachal Pradesh which becomes the first Indian state to achieve this feat.
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