Himachal Pradesh Snow Leopard Population Rises to 83, Survey Shows

The elusive snow leopard, Himachal Pradesh’s state animal, has shown a significant population increase, according to a new state-wide survey released on the opening day of Wildlife Week (October 2–8).

The Wildlife Wing of Himachal Pradesh Forest Department conducted the second comprehensive assessment, estimating 83 unique adult snow leopards across the state, excluding cubs. This marks a sharp rise from the 51 cats recorded in 2021, surpassing the previous survey’s upper confidence limit of 73. The growth reflects natural population recovery and potential habitat expansion.

The survey used large-scale camera-trapping across six key sites covering Himachal’s 26,000 sq km snow leopard habitat. Snow leopards were spotted in core areas including Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur, and Pangi Valley, and also beyond protected zones such as Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary, Great Himalayan National Park, Sechu Tuan Nala Wildlife Sanctuary, and Asrang Wildlife Sanctuary. Sightings along the Sutlej river valley indicate the species is expanding into previously unoccupied landscapes.

The study also refined distribution maps for prey species like blue sheep, Himalayan ibex, and musk deer, and other high-altitude mammals including Himalayan wolves, brown bears, leopards, red foxes, and martens. Notably, it reported the first official sighting of Pallas’s cat in Kinnaur and the rediscovery of the woolly flying squirrel in Lahaul, highlighting the region’s rich biodiversity.

Community participation played a pivotal role in the survey’s success. Local youth and indigenous women from Kibber village in Spiti assisted in camera trap deployment and data analysis, while frontline forest officers and villagers supported field operations. Many snow leopards were observed outside protected areas, emphasizing the importance of community-led conservation initiatives.

Completed within one year, compared to three years in the 2021 survey, the assessment demonstrates a cost-effective and scalable framework for long-term snow leopard monitoring in India. Himachal Pradesh is now the first state in India to conduct a second state-wide snow leopard assessment, providing a robust baseline for future conservation planning.