India Marks International Snow Leopard Day with ‘#23for23’ Awareness Campaign

India celebrated International Snow Leopard Day on 23 October with a nationwide campaign titled ‘#23for23’, urging citizens to dedicate 23 minutes of physical activity to raise awareness about snow leopard conservation and the protection of their fragile mountain ecosystems.

Key Highlights:

• Nationwide Initiative: The ‘#23for23’ campaign, launched by the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Programme (GSLEP) and the Snow Leopard Trust Worldwide, aims to engage the public in conservation awareness through participatory action.
• Encouraging Census Results: The first-ever Snow Leopard Census conducted across the Indian Himalayas recorded 718 individual snow leopards, with Ladakh alone accounting for 477 of them.
• Government’s Commitment: The Union Environment Minister stated that India’s snow leopard conservation initiatives are showing positive outcomes, reaffirming the nation’s commitment to the GSLEP goals.
• Focus Areas: The Minister highlighted India’s emphasis on science-based monitoring, habitat protection, and community participation as key pillars for ensuring the long-term survival of the vulnerable species.
• Global Significance: The observance underscores India’s leadership role in global snow leopard conservation efforts, reflecting the country’s continued dedication to protecting its high-altitude biodiversity.
• International Day of the Snow Leopard: In 2024, the General Assembly proclaimed 23 October as International Day of the Snow Leopard in order to enhance international and regional cooperation in support of efforts to conserve the snow leopard, given its role in the overall ecosystem.
• Range Countries: The snow leopard (Panthera uncia) is found in the high mountain regions of Asia. It is an iconic and ecologically significant species found across the mountainous areas, including in Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Russian Federation, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

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