Ladakh Emerges as a Global Stronghold for Snow Leopards

Context:

A recent study conducted by the Department of Wildlife Protection of the Union Territory of Ladakh has estimated the presence of 477 snow leopards in the region, accounting for nearly 68% of India’s total snow leopard population. The findings, published in the journal PLOS One, make Ladakh one of the regions with the highest densities of snow leopards in the world.

Study Highlights:

Population and Distribution

The research assessed snow leopard populations over a vast expanse of 59,000 square kilometres, concluding that the species occupies over 47,500 square kilometres of Ladakh’s territory. This distribution includes ecologically significant areas such as:

Hemis National Park
Kargil region
Leh district

Factors Supporting High Population Density

Multiple ecological and socio-cultural factors contribute to Ladakh’s ability to support such a high density of snow leopards:

Ecological Resources: The region is endowed with resource-rich alpine grasslands, a moderate climate, and an abundant prey base, all of which favour the sustenance of a stable snow leopard population.
Co-existence with Humans: Remarkably, 61% of Ladakh's snow leopards were observed to inhabit areas in proximity to human populations. This high rate of human–wildlife coexistence is uncommon and reflects effective community engagement and conflict mitigation practices.
Cultural and Economic Factors: Local communities in Ladakh have shown a strong cultural reverence for wildlife, which reduces human-animal conflict. In addition, snow leopard-based ecotourism provides economic incentives for conservation. Conflict management strategies and awareness programmes have also played a key role in maintaining this harmony.

**About Snow Leopards (Panthera uncia):**

Snow leopards are a flagship species of the high-altitude ecosystems of South and Central Asia. Their range spans 12 countries, including India, China, Nepal, Pakistan, Bhutan, and Mongolia.

Snow leopards inhabit steep, rugged mountainous terrains at altitudes ranging from 3,000 to 5,000 metres, marked by cliffs, rocky outcrops, and deep ravines. They are solitary and crepuscular, primarily active during dawn and dusk.

In India, snow leopards are primarily found in:

Western Himalayas: Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Sikkim
Eastern Himalayas: Arunachal Pradesh

Conservation Status and Legal Protection

Snow leopards are currently facing various threats, including habitat degradation, poaching, and retaliatory killings due to livestock predation. In response, they have been accorded the highest levels of protection under national and international frameworks:

IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
CITES: Appendix I
Convention on Migratory Species (CMS): Appendix I
India’s Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I

Conclusion:

This population assessment represents a major milestone in India’s conservation efforts. It offers a scientific baseline for future monitoring and underlines the effectiveness of community-based conservation models. The study also reinforces the importance of Ladakh’s landscape in global snow leopard conservation, making it a strategic priority for biodiversity and ecosystem resilience.