Himachal Celebrates Wildlife Week with Snow Leopard Milestone and Global Recognition for Spiti
Himachal Pradesh kicked off its 74th Wildlife Week with a wave of optimism and pride, unveiling key achievements in biodiversity conservation. The spotlight was on the majestic snow leopard, as the newly released Status of Snow Leopard in Himachal Pradesh–2025 report confirmed the presence of 83 individuals—an encouraging rise from the 2021 count.
The report, presented by PCCF Wildlife Amitabh Gautam, was the result of an extensive study across 26,112 sq km of high-altitude terrain, conducted in collaboration with the Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF), Bengaluru. While the increase in numbers is a positive sign, Gautam cautioned that threats like habitat loss, climate change, and human interference still loom large. “Community involvement is key to ensuring these elusive creatures continue to thrive,” he emphasized.
Adding to the excitement, the report also documented two new species never before recorded in Himachal—the woolly flying squirrel and the Pallas’s cat—marking a significant expansion of the state’s known biodiversity and opening new doors for ecological research in the western Himalayas.
In a major boost to conservation efforts, Gautam announced that the Spiti cold desert region has been inducted into UNESCO’s prestigious Man and Biosphere (MAB) Network. “This global recognition is a proud moment for Himachal and a call to action to protect our fragile mountain ecosystems,” he said.
Wildlife Week 2025, themed Human–Animal Co-existence, will feature a variety of engaging activities including painting and essay competitions, debates, nature treks, bird-watching events, and photography contests. Schools, women’s groups, Panchayati Raj institutions, and government departments have been encouraged to participate actively.
The launch event saw the presence of senior officials such as CF Wildlife Preeti Bhandari, DFO Wildlife Shimla Dr. Shah Nawaz Bhatt, DFO Headquarters Anita Bhardwaj, JICA Forestry Project Director Shrestha Nand Sharma, and NCF Program Manager Deepshikha, who shared insights from the snow leopard study.
With rising snow leopard numbers, the discovery of rare species, and Spiti’s global spotlight, Himachal’s Wildlife Week has begun on a hopeful note—celebrating nature’s wonders while reinforcing the urgency of conservation.
