First-Ever Snow Leopard Photographed in Jammu Kashmir's Chenab Valley

Four snow leopards have been caught on camera in Kishtwar High Altitude National Park, nestled within the Chenab Valley region of Jammu and Kashmir. A dedicated team of scientists hailing from the University of Kashmir, Srinagar, and the National Development Foundation, Jammu have captured these snow leopards.

First snow leopard photo, Kishtwar

The published in the prestigious journal Oryx on May 9, 2024. The snow leopard, Panthera uncia, holds the distinction of being categorized as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, owing to its elusive nature and preference for inhabiting the rugged terrains of Central and South Asia. This sighting marks the first-ever photographic record of the snow leopard within the confines of Kishtwar High Altitude National Park, adding a new chapter to the region's biodiversity narrative.

The researchers employed a meticulous grid-based camera-trapping survey, which yielded eight captivating photographs of these majestic felines. The initial sighting occurred at a breathtaking altitude of 3,280 meters on September 19, 2022, with subsequent captures ranging from 3,004 to 3,878 meters. Identified within the Kiyar, Nanth, and Renai catchments, these sightings underscore the region's potential as a critical snow leopard habitat.

During extensive camera-trapping surveys conducted using a grid-based design, researchers obtained eight captivating photographs of snow leopards, providing crucial insights into their presence in the region. The first sighting occurred at a staggering altitude of 3,280 meters on September 19, 2022, with subsequent captures recorded between altitudes of 3,004 to 3,878 meters. Notably, at least four different individuals were identified, establishing the species' occurrence in key catchments such as Kiyar, Nanth, and Renai.

Snow leopards, prey spotted, Kishtwar's significance

Moreover, the study recorded the presence of snow leopard prey species, including the Siberian ibex, Himalayan musk deer, long-tailed marmot, and pika, further solidifying Kishtwar's status as potential snow leopard habitat. The findings underscore the critical importance of Kishtwar High Altitude National Park in the broader context of snow leopard conservation efforts in India.

According to the study statistics, the researchers deployed 40 camera traps at 57 locations across the park, covering a span of one year from May 2022 to June 2023. Throughout 6,623 trap-nights, photographs of two individual snow leopards were obtained in a single frame, marking the historic first photographic evidence of the species within the park. Subsequent captures in various grid cells provided invaluable data on the species distribution and behaviour in the region.

Further, the study highlighted the anthropogenic pressures exerted by livestock grazing, particularly in catchments such as Kibber, Kiyar, Nanth, and Renai. The presence of nearly 3,000 graziers and nomadic herders, along with 150,000 livestock annually, poses a threat to both the habitat and the wild ungulate prey of the snow leopard due to competition for pasture. This heightened competition could escalate human-wildlife conflicts and push the snow leopard and its prey into less suitable areas, leaving them vulnerable to additional threats.

As per the study, the team further highlighted that Kishtwar High Altitude National Park holds potential as snow leopard habitat. This area acts as a crucial link connecting three distinct Himalayan landscapes: the greater Himalayas of Jammu and Kashmir, the trans-Himalayas of Ladakh via Zanskar, and the lesser Himalayas of Himachal Pradesh. Given its strategic geographical location and the presence of high-altitude passes that facilitate the movement of snow leopard populations across the Himalayan and trans-Himalayan regions, the findings carry significant implications for snow leopard conservation efforts in India. 

The team recommended conducting a comprehensive study encompassing the entire Kishtwar landscape, including the Paddar and Wadwan valleys, to assess various aspects such as occupancy, abundance, demography, and movement patterns of both snow leopards and their prey. Besides, they highlighted the importance of evaluating interactions with pastoral communities and addressing potential threats to ensure effective conservation and management of this critical high-altitude region.