The population of rare snow leopards in the high-altitude tribal regions of Himachal Pradesh has seen an impressive 62% increase over the past four years, according to a new wildlife survey released by officials.

The count, which stood at 51 in 2021, has now risen to 83, the state Forest Department’s Wildlife Wing announced on Friday. This significant growth underscores the success of long-term conservation strategies that prioritize active community involvement.

Launched on the first day of Wildlife Week (October 2–8), the report indicates that the figure excludes cubs, and surpasses the upper confidence estimate of 73 identified in the 2021 survey, hinting at a potential expansion of habitats.

The comprehensive study utilized a large-scale camera-trapping exercise across six sites, covering nearly 26,000 sq km. Researchers successfully identified snow leopards and their habitats in Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur, and Pangi valley, recording sightings both within and beyond protected areas like Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary, Great Himalayan National Park, Sechu Tuan Nallah Wildlife Sanctuary, and Asrang Wildlife Sanctuary.

In addition to snow leopards, the survey assessed populations of prey species, including blue sheep, Himalayan ibex, and musk deer, as well as other mammals such as Himalayan wolves, brown bears, leopards, red foxes, and martens.

One of the noteworthy findings of the survey includes the first official sighting of Pallas’s cat in Kinnaur and the rediscovery of the woolly flying squirrel in Lahaul, illuminating the incredible biodiversity present in the state.

Officials attribute the success of the survey significantly to community involvement. Local youth and women from Kibber village in Spiti played critical roles in deploying camera traps and analyzing data, while collaboration between forest officers and villagers greatly facilitated field operations. Unlike the previous survey, which took three years to complete, this effort finished in just one year.

Officials further noted that the cost-effective survey has established a scalable framework for long-term snow leopard monitoring in India. This achievement positions Himachal Pradesh as the first state in India to conduct a second statewide assessment of snow leopards.

The population of rare snow leopards in the high-altitude tribal regions of Himachal Pradesh has seen an impressive 62% increase over the past four years, according to a new wildlife survey released by officials.

The count, which stood at 51 in 2021, has now risen to 83, the state Forest Department’s Wildlife Wing announced on Friday. This significant growth underscores the success of long-term conservation strategies that prioritize active community involvement.

Launched on the first day of Wildlife Week (October 2–8), the report indicates that the figure excludes cubs, and surpasses the upper confidence estimate of 73 identified in the 2021 survey, hinting at a potential expansion of habitats.

The comprehensive study utilized a large-scale camera-trapping exercise across six sites, covering nearly 26,000 sq km. Researchers successfully identified snow leopards and their habitats in Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur, and Pangi valley, recording sightings both within and beyond protected areas like Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary, Great Himalayan National Park, Sechu Tuan Nallah Wildlife Sanctuary, and Asrang Wildlife Sanctuary.

In addition to snow leopards, the survey assessed populations of prey species, including blue sheep, Himalayan ibex, and musk deer, as well as other mammals such as Himalayan wolves, brown bears, leopards, red foxes, and martens.

One of the noteworthy findings of the survey includes the first official sighting of Pallas’s cat in Kinnaur and the rediscovery of the woolly flying squirrel in Lahaul, illuminating the incredible biodiversity present in the state.

Officials attribute the success of the survey significantly to community involvement. Local youth and women from Kibber village in Spiti played critical roles in deploying camera traps and analyzing data, while collaboration between forest officers and villagers greatly facilitated field operations. Unlike the previous survey, which took three years to complete, this effort finished in just one year.

Officials further noted that the cost-effective survey has established a scalable framework for long-term snow leopard monitoring in India. This achievement positions Himachal Pradesh as the first state in India to conduct a second statewide assessment of snow leopards.