New Delhi: India highlighted its growing use of science-based approaches for snow leopard conservation at the Russian-Indian Roundtable Meeting on Snow Leopard Study and Conservation, held on August 26, 2026, in Moscow, Russia.
The meeting was organised at the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences to promote greater international cooperation in snow leopard research and conservation.
India Showcases Advances in Snow Leopard Conservation
The Indian delegation from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) highlighted the country’s progress in snow leopard conservation through scientific and technology-driven initiatives.
Officials from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) presented India’s advances in key areas of snow leopard research, including:
- Snow leopard population estimation
- Radio telemetry
- Genetic analysis
- Scientific monitoring and conservation
The use of these tools is helping strengthen the scientific understanding of snow leopard populations and support more effective conservation strategies.
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Roundtable Strengthens India-Russia Cooperation
The meeting was organised under the framework of a Partnership Agreement between the Interregional Association ‘Irbis’ and the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA).The agreement was signed in December 2025 with the objective of strengthening international cooperation in snow leopard research and conservation.
The Moscow roundtable provided an opportunity for India and its international partners to exchange scientific knowledge, experiences and conservation practices related to the species.
Russian and International Experts Participate
The roundtable brought together representatives from several Russian institutions and organisations involved in wildlife research and conservation.
Participants included representatives of:
- Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation
- A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences
- Moscow Zoo
- Rosprirodnadzor
- Leading experts in snow leopard research and conservation
The Indian delegation participated in thematic discussions focused on strengthening collaborative approaches to the scientific study and conservation of snow leopards.
Focus on Research, Monitoring and Conservation
The discussions at the Moscow meeting focused on advancing cooperation in snow leopard research, population monitoring and conservation.
The exchange of expertise is expected to support greater collaboration between India and international partners in understanding the species and developing effective conservation approaches.
International Collaboration for Snow Leopard Protection
The meeting served as an important platform for sharing knowledge and experiences between India, Russia and other conservation stakeholders.
Through continued cooperation in research, monitoring and conservation, the participating organisations aim to strengthen efforts to protect the snow leopard, a key species associated with high-altitude ecosystems.
India’s participation also reflects its broader efforts to combine scientific research, technology and international collaboration to advance wildlife conservation.
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