SNOW LEOPARD STEWARDSHIP PROJECT, Neshyang Valley; Annapurna Conservation Area

SNOW LEOPARD STEWARDSHIP PROJECT, Neshyang Valley; Annapurna Conservation Area

The Snow Leopard Stewardship Programme was launched in Nepal this year with aim of advancing snow leopard conservation through an innovative integrated approach based on interdisciplinary research and community participation. The program seeks to actively involve local communities, alongside NGOs, government, and the private sector – at the forefront of designing and delivering a mix of incentives, instruments and institutions that will improve both the livelihoods of local people and the long-term security of snow leopards in key natural habitats. The initiative was piloted in the Neshyang Valley, Annapurna Conservation Area, focusing on long-term monitoring of snow leopards, patrolling their habitats, and engaging local communities in conservation efforts leading to snow leopard centered tourism.

To achieve the project goals, a lead ranger was deployed under the supervision of coordinator and advisor. At first, the ranger was trained to use the SMART app to patrol habitat of snow leopard and records wildlife as well as various anthropogenic activities. Local youths were selected as snow leopard scouts to promote community participation in conservation of snow leopard, their prey and habitat conservation. The rangers assisted local farmers in filing compensation claims with the Nepal government based on the recently revised “compensation directives 2023” for livestock losses due to predators like snow leopards. Ten scouts were formed in six villages to patrol snow leopards habitats, representing their entire village for their conservation actions in the field. First phase of trail cameras during February to March-2023 was executed by lead ranger and local youths using trail cameras. A baseline map of the Neshyang valley was prepared to implement long-term monitoring of snow leopard. The map comprises 28 grids, each size of 3 km × 3 km. Snow leopard were captured 33 different times during February to March 2023. The population of leopard based on the camera trap was estimated at least 8 snow leopards are in the valley. For the second phase of camera trapping from October to December 2023, lead ranger and scouts have already installed cameras which will be collected at the end of December. Combining database of two phases, hot spot for snow leopard will be mapped out.

Until the formation of scouts, the lead ranger conducted patrolling tasks in various sections of the Neshyang Valley with assistance from local youths. After the formation of scouts, lead ranger and scouts patrolled the habitat jointly. Eventually, they covered a total distance of 1535.75 km by November 2023. One cases of snow leopard poisoning was suspected. Lead ranger prepared 27 documents for relief fund claims within last five months with the government of Nepal. This practice has been initiated by this programme following revised compensation directives. Additionally, Friendship Football matches for conservation had a positive impact at both local and national levels, effectively conveying the conservation message to a wide audience from the capital Kathmandu to Manang.