(IN) Himachal Pradesh gears up to protect Snow Leopard

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http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20090724/himachal.htm#3

 

Action plan to protect snow leopard

Pratibha Chauhan

 

Tribune News Service

Shimla, July 23

 

Even though the estimated population of the snow leopard in Himachal is barely

15, encouraged by spotting of the animal by locals as well as wildlife staff in

Spiti the government has sent a Rs 1.50 crore action plan to the Centre for

protecting the highly endangered animal.

It is in association with Mysore-based Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF) that

the Wildlife Department has prepared the action plan for undertaking a

conservation project for the animal. The NCF is already in the process of

undertaking management planning in the Spiti Valley for the formal launch of the

project, which is awaiting central funding from the Union Ministry of

Environment and Forest.

Even though initiatives with regard to launch of the project snow leopard have

been taken jointly as part of Trans-Himalayan collaboration between states like

Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim,

Himachal has taken the lead by preparing an action plan and seeking funds for

its formal launch.

Besides the NCF, the state wildlife authorities are also in touch with the Snow

Leopard Conservation Trust. Sources said the Centre had agreed for the launch of

the Snow Leopard Project in Himachal and it is only the formal approval that is

awaited.

" Though there is no exact data, based on very broad estimation the figure of

snow leopard in Himachal is around 15, so there is an urgent need to protect and

conserve the endangered animal, " said KS Thakur, Conservator (Wildlife).

Trap cameras that have been installed in the area by the NCF team for the past

some time have captured shots of the animal. Moreover, fresh droppings of the

snow leopard in the area frequented by it are also a proof of its presence.

Forest officials point out that locals in areas like Kibber Valley in Spiti have

reported recent sighting of the majestic animal, which is a confirmation about

its presence in the area. " The fact that the cattle of the villagers have often

been killed by a predator is a confirmation about the presence of snow leopard

in the area as no other animal can be on the prowl at that height, " said an

officer associated with the project.