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Himalayas Snow leopard
Why is it in News?
- According to recent study, Himachal Pradesh has as many as 73 snow leopards.
Details:
- Study:
(1) Local communities are allies in conservation of snow leopard.
(2) Study was the joint exercise of Himachal Pradesh wildlife department and Nature Conservation Foundation.
(3) Snow leopards’ population is estimated to be 73 excluding cubs.
(4) In Himachal, greater part of districts Lahul-Spiti and Kinnaur formed the snow leopard’s habitat.
- Snow Leopard:
(1) Snow leopards live in the mountainous regions of central and southern Asia.
(2) In India, their geographical range encompasses a large part of the western Himalayas including the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh in the eastern Himalayas.
(3) Leopards prefer steep, rugged terrains with rocky outcrops and ravines.
(6) This type of habitat provides good cover and clear view to help them sneak up on their prey.
(7) The snow leopard is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN.
(8) It is listed on Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES).
(9) The Government of India has identified the snow leopard as a flagship species for the high-altitude Himalayas.
(10) It has developed a centrally-supported programme called Project Snow Leopard for the conservation of the species and its habitats.
Source: The Hindu