Himachal Pradesh’s Second Snow Leopard Survey Estimates 83 Individuals

The second state-wide snow leopard survey in Himachal Pradesh has estimated the presence of 83 snow leopards, with the true population likely ranging between 67 and 103, according to the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department. This marks a notable rise from 51 individuals recorded in 2021, reflecting ongoing conservation efforts in the region.

Survey Coverage and Key Findings

Conducted in collaboration with the Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF), the year-long survey covered six sites across the state’s 26,000 km² snow leopard habitat, encompassing both high- and low-density regions. Researchers identified 44 unique snow leopards photographed 262 times, with densities ranging from 0.16 to 0.53 individuals per 100 km². The highest densities were reported in Spiti and Pin Valley, followed by Upper Kinnaur and Tabo.

New and Notable Discoveries

For the first time, the survey also recorded the Pallas’s cat in Kinnaur and confirmed the rediscovery of the woolly flying squirrel in Lahaul, underscoring the rich biodiversity supported by Himachal’s high-altitude ecosystems.

About the Snow Leopard

The snow leopard (Panthera uncia), belonging to the genus Panthera — which includes tigers, lions, leopards, and jaguars — inhabits rugged alpine regions of Central and South Asia. In India, its range spans the western Himalayas (Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand) and parts of the eastern Himalayas (Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh).

Listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, the snow leopard is also protected under Appendix I of CITES, prohibiting international trade in its body parts. Primarily solitary and most active at dawn and dusk, the snow leopard remains a key indicator of the ecological health of the Himalayan landscape.