Monitoring of Rare Snow Leopards Begins in Upper Mustang

The monitoring of snow leopards, a rare and endangered species, has commenced in the upper Mustang region to assess their population and status. The initiative employs camera trapping at three strategic locations in Mustang, aiming to address the rising incidents of human-snow leopard conflicts.

According to Umesh Paudel, Chief of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) Office, a total of 12 cameras have been installed in areas around Baragung Muktikshetra-3, above Thurlungphant of Lomanthang, and above the Lomanthang market. The collected data will help devise strategies to protect the snow leopards while mitigating the challenges faced by local communities due to livestock loss.

Revered as the “Queen of the Himalayas”, snow leopards hold cultural, ecological, and religious significance in the region. However, the increasing conflicts between locals and the predator emphasize the need for a balanced approach that safeguards both the animal and traditional livestock farming practices.

“Locals have been engaged in livestock farming for centuries. Now, it is crucial to implement new measures for sustainable management that protect both the snow leopards and the farmers’ livelihoods,” Paudel stated.

Previously, the ACAP had monitored snow leopards in the district using 31 cameras. Experts believe that climate change has altered the behavior and habitat of the species, pushing them to lower altitudes as they follow their primary prey, the Himalayan Blue Sheep (Naur), which has also shifted down due to the shrinking of alpine grasslands.

Efforts like this monitoring aim to strike a balance between wildlife conservation and protecting the interests of local communities affected by the presence of this majestic but endangered predator.