https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Unveiling the Elusive Snow Leopard of Arunachal Pradesh

Snow leopards, or 'ghosts of the mountains,' inhabit Arunachal's rugged landscapes, where recent studies estimate a population of 36. Read the article to get details…
Indian Masterminds Stories

Snow leopards, often referred to as the “ghosts of the mountains” for their elusive nature, inhabit some of the most rugged and remote landscapes on earth. Adapting to the icy slopes of High Asia, this enigmatic big cat, scientifically known as Panthera uncia, roams across a unique and fragile ecosystem that spans the Trans-Himalayan region. With the release of a landmark report estimating a population of 36 snow leopards in Arunachal Pradesh, India, a new chapter has opened for conservationists and wildlife enthusiasts alike.

“For the first time in history, the Department of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, Arunachal Pradesh, with the funding support of MoEF&CC and with the technical support of WWF-India, initiated this pioneering project to assess the population of snow leopards in the year 2021,” Dr. Damodhar A.T., IFS, who is the Conservator of Forests (Wildlife & Biodiversity) and Director, Biosphere Reserves, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh (AGMUT, 2010 Batch), told Indian Masterminds.

Dr. Damodhar A.T. IFS

FIRST SCIENTIFIC ESTIMATE

In 2021, the Department of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change (DoEFCC) of Arunachal Pradesh, in partnership with WWF-India, conducted a comprehensive study of snow leopards. This ambitious project marked the first scientifically robust attempt to estimate the population and density of snow leopards across Arunachal Pradesh’s vast mountainous terrain. The study, which ran from June to December 2021, involved state-of-the-art camera trapping, community interviews, and rigorous statistical models to establish an accurate population estimate. The findings were profound: 36 snow leopards now roam the high-altitude areas of Arunachal Pradesh, with a density of approximately 0.26 leopards per 100 square kilometers, providing a new foundation for conservation efforts in the state.

Snow leopards individuals captured during the survey. Image credit: Tawang FD/DoEFCC

A UNIQUE CHALLENGE IN CONSERVATION RESEARCH 

Surveying snow leopards in Arunachal Pradesh posed numerous challenges. Unlike other regions where snow leopard habitats are relatively accessible, Arunachal’s high-altitude areas are notoriously difficult to navigate due to steep terrains, dense vegetation, and limited infrastructure. Field researchers covered 115 locations across the state and conducted over 8,775 “trap nights” using camera traps to record the elusive cats in their natural habitat. These traps captured individual snow leopards 40 times, primarily in the Tawang and Bomdila Divisions, allowing for a more accurate count and understanding of their distribution. Additionally, interviews were conducted with 282 herders, ex-hunters, and other community members across 160 locations, which helped identify local perspectives on wildlife and highlighted the threats facing snow leopards.

Snow leopards individuals captured during the survey. Image credit: Tawang FD/DoEFCC

“This was a Herculean task with extremely tough challenges to reach inaccessible high-altitude snow-peaked mountains to set up camera traps for collection and capturing of footage. Hats off to our dedicated and most committed frontline staff under the dynamic leadership of Mr. Millo Tasser, the then Conservator of Forests and Wildlife at the Headquarters, who could complete this exercise,” the officer further added. 

THE HIGH-ALPINE HABITAT OF AP 

Arunachal Pradesh’s potential snow leopard habitat covers approximately 15,000 square kilometers, making it one of the largest contiguous high-altitude landscapes in the Eastern Himalayas. The snow leopard is not just the apex predator of this ecosystem but also holds deep cultural and spiritual significance for the communities that share its habitat. For many indigenous tribes in the region, big cats like the snow leopard are considered totemic symbols. Many tribes uphold strict taboos against hunting carnivores, reinforcing the spiritual and ecological importance of these majestic animals.

These high-altitude areas are also home to a range of unique and endemic species, including rare ungulates like the red goral and elusive creatures such as the sun bear. Snow leopards, known for their mastery of camouflage, can silently navigate this terrain, often going unseen. For centuries, this ability to vanish into the landscape has earned them the nickname “ghost of the mountains.”

A COMPLEX WEB OF THREATS 

Despite their remote habitat, snow leopards face numerous threats. Accidental killing and snaring represent the most significant risks across the surveyed districts, while retaliatory killings due to livestock predation are prevalent in Tawang and West Kameng. The encroachment of infrastructure, such as roads and power projects, into previously untouched habitats has further fragmented their environment, increasing the risk of human-wildlife conflict and reducing the availability of prey species.

Camp sight and survey team in different locations of Arunachal Pradesh

An emerging and complex threat to snow leopards in the region is the presence of free-ranging domestic dogs. These dogs, often used by herders, pose a significant danger to both snow leopards and other high-altitude wildlife, as they can carry diseases and compete for food. The increased presence of livestock has also led to resource competition, further straining the delicate balance of this ecosystem.

Climate change is an overarching concern, altering the delicate environmental conditions that snow leopards and other high-altitude species depend on. The shrinking snowline and changing vegetation patterns are affecting the availability of prey, forcing snow leopards to venture closer to human settlements in search of food.

PROJECT SNOW LEOPARD AND LOCALS

In response to the mounting threats facing snow leopards, India launched Project Snow Leopard in 2008, a flagship conservation initiative aimed at protecting high-altitude ecosystems and species through community involvement and sustainable policies. Recognising the interconnectedness of local cultures and livelihoods with these ecosystems, the project emphasises the importance of a participatory approach, involving local communities as stewards of the landscape.

Arunachal Pradesh’s conservation efforts offer an exemplary model of community-driven action. The recent survey revealed a high level of awareness and respect for snow leopards among the indigenous communities. Over 80% of interviewees confirmed the presence of snow leopards, and nearly all expressed support for their protection. The insights gathered from local herders and ex-hunters underscore an opportunity for increased collaboration between conservationists and the community—a prospect that Arunachal Pradesh is already embracing.

Camera trapping in different locations.

TRAINING THE FRONTLINE 

The project also invested significantly in capacity-building efforts. Forest department personnel, local volunteers, and citizen scientists participated in training workshops across 11 forest divisions. These sessions covered essential skills, from camera trap setup and GPS navigation to identifying snow leopard signs and conducting wildlife assessments. By equipping local stakeholders with the knowledge and tools to monitor snow leopards, Arunachal Pradesh has laid a solid foundation for a long-term conservation strategy that relies on continuous data collection and community involvement.

THE ROAD TO SUSTAINABLE CONSERVATION 

While the population estimate of 36 snow leopards is an encouraging milestone, there remains much work to be done. Establishing a robust long-term monitoring plan for the species is essential. Continued surveillance using advanced tools like Spatially Explicit Capture-Recapture (SECR) models can provide more detailed insights into population dynamics, enabling conservationists to respond effectively to emerging threats. Collaborative efforts with local communities are equally vital. 

As the apex predator of the Eastern Himalayas, the snow leopard is integral to the health of this fragile ecosystem. Protecting this “ghost of the mountains” requires a delicate balance between conservation goals and the needs of the local population. Through innovative research, committed conservation policies, and meaningful community partnerships, Arunachal Pradesh is setting a precedent for safeguarding one of the world’s most endangered and mysterious big cats.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
BPCL_resized
BPCL’s Sanjay Khanna Conferred with “TITAN - Refining Innovation Award” for Pioneering Excellence in HSE and Refining
Vartika Shukla CMD of EIL (1)
Vartika Shukla, CMD of EIL, Honored with Women’s Leadership Award at IOGTC 2025 - Know About Her
Judiciary_india
Karnataka Bar Council Urges Supreme Court Collegium to Reconsider Transfer of Four High Court Judges
NTPC Green Energy Ltd NGEL
NTPC Green Board to Consider Rs 5,000 Crore Bond Issue in FY26
Govt
5 Officers Reshuffled in Uttarakhand Secretariat
Indian Oil IOCL
Indian Oil to Invest Rs. 24,000 Crore in Gujarat for Refinery Expansion and Petrochemical Projects
IFS Indian Forest Service resized (IFoS)
14 IFS and 6 State Forest Service Officers Transferred in Madhya Pradesh, HU Khan Made CF&CEO (CAMPA) at HQ, Bhopal
Concor and gail MoU
CONCOR and GAIL Sign MoU to Promote Clean Fuel and Green Logistics
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Aditya Vikram Agarwal
The Shouts of Joy Were Real: Aditya’s UPSC Rank 9 Was a Family Celebration
Dr Lokesh M IAS
E-Rickshaw Chaos, Waterlogging, Traffic Mess — Can Noida Fix Its Daily Chaos? | Exclusive with Dr Lokesh M, IAS
IRS Padmapani Bora UPSC
IRS Padmapani Bora’s 16-Year-Long Journey in Governance
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
Aditya Vikram Agarwal
The Shouts of Joy Were Real: Aditya’s UPSC Rank 9 Was a Family Celebration
“UPSC is not the only path. If you are in any field… UPSC is not the only way to serve the nation. Be...
Raj Krishna Jha UPSC
Managing Study with a Full-Time Job, 4 Failures, & a Dream: UPSC Topper Raj Krishna Jha's Journey | Exclusive
From repeated failures to AIR 8, Raj Krishna Jha’s UPSC success proves that perseverance and strategic...
Utkarsh Yadav UPSC Rajasthan
Brother of Dausa DM Cracks UPSC with AIR 32: Utkarsh Yadav’s Inspiring Journey from Hamindpur to IAS
Utkarsh Yadav, an IIT Roorkee graduate from rural Rajasthan, secured AIR 32 in UPSC 2024 after three...
Social Media
GozJlgrXYAAHoKv
Murals for Cleanliness: Thoothukudi District Launches Art-Inspired Sanitation Drive in Panchayats
Local artists add colour and messages to village walls, promoting hygiene and community pride
Himanshu Nagpal IAS
Varanasi's Beggar Rehabilitation Initiative Recognised by UIDAI, CDO Himanshu Nagpal Shares the News
Mr. Himanshu Nagpal is a 2019-batch IAS officer
IAS Vaishali Chopra
Young IAS Vaishali Chopra Takes a Stand Against Caste Bias During Field Training in Uttar Pradesh
While the issue itself may seem small, the post is resonating widely online for its honest reflection...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
BPCL_resized
BPCL’s Sanjay Khanna Conferred with “TITAN - Refining Innovation Award” for Pioneering Excellence in HSE and Refining
Vartika Shukla CMD of EIL (1)
Vartika Shukla, CMD of EIL, Honored with Women’s Leadership Award at IOGTC 2025 - Know About Her
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Aditya Vikram Agarwal
Dr Lokesh M IAS
IRS Padmapani Bora UPSC
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT