India's First Nationwide Snow Leopard Census Reveals Population of 718
The Government of India, through the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, has finalized the first comprehensive nationwide census of the snow leopard, known as the Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India (SPAI). Conducted from 2019 to 2023, the census estimated 718 snow leopards within India's high-altitude regions, primarily in Ladakh, which reported the highest numbers. This initiative used a rigorous two-stage survey method, involving occupancy-based sampling and camera traps. Results from this census will guide future conservation efforts. The ministry is also actively working on several conservation initiatives under the National Snow Leopard Ecosystem Protection Priorities and Project Snow Leopard, focusing on habitat protection and community involvement.
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