Snow Leopard population assessment in India

Following the directions of the Central government, the Snow Leopard Population Assessment of India started in 2020 but the pandemic slowed it down.

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Initiated 2020, delayed the pandemic

Took two additional years (until 2023) in Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and Ladakh

Concluded in Jammu & Kashmir in 2025

Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim were listed for the assessment. The exercise was completed in Himachal Pradesh in 2021. It took another two years in Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh and in J&K, the exercise was wrapped up this year.

The NCF conducted the study in Himachal Pradesh and J&K, whereas Dehradun-based Wildlife Institute of India (WII) studied Ladakh and Uttarakhand. The Wild Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) took up the study in Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.

As per reports, there are 400 snow leopards in Ladakh, 80 were recorded in Himachal Pradesh, 100 in Uttarakhand and 20 each in Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.