ISLAMABAD: As the world marked International Snow Leopard Day on Thursday, Pakistan’s Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination reaffirmed the South Asian country’s commitment to safeguarding the endangered snow leopard and preserving the mountain ecosystems that sustain it.
The ministry emphasised that these efforts, undertaken in collaboration with local communities and conservation partners, reflect Pakistan’s commitment to protecting biodiversity and promoting ecological balance in its northern mountain regions.
This commitment was reiterated by Muhammad Saleem Shaikh, wildlife conservation advocacy specialist and media spokesperson for the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination.
Describing the snow leopard, which is often called the “ghost of the mountains”, as one of the world’s most elusive and threatened big cats, he underlined the federal government’s determination to safeguard the species and its mountainous habitat in collaboration with all governmental and non-governmental stakeholders and local communities.
“Together with mountain communities, scientists, and conservation partners, Pakistan is committed to ensuring that the snow leopard continues to thrive as a symbol of resilience and ecological balance in our high mountains,” Shaikh said.
Marked every year on October 23, the International Snow Leopard Day is being celebrated this year under the theme ‘Safeguarding Snow Leopard Habitats for Future Generations’ to raise awareness about the endangered snow leopard and is used by governments, conservationists, wildlife lovers, and communities to galvanise the collective action for its protection.
Globally, the snow leopard population is estimated at between 3,500 and 7,000 individuals across 12 countries in Central and South Asia, including Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
Given the species’ transboundary range, regional cooperation remains vital for its long-term survival—particularly through data-sharing, joint research, and coordinated action to curb poaching and other human-induced threats.
In Pakistan, snow leopards inhabit a vast range of over 80,000 square kilometres across the Hindu Kush, Pamir, Karakoram, and Himalayan mountain ranges in Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
According to the latest national survey, Pakistan’s snow leopard population is estimated at around 167 individuals, primarily found in Gilgit-Baltistan, Chitral, and northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The estimate—based on advanced camera-trap monitoring and field data—provides the first robust baseline for developing targeted conservation plans.
Pakistan is an active member of the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Programme (GSLEP), which unites all 12 range countries to secure snow leopard habitats and promote sustainable development in the high mountains of Asia.
Shaikh highlighted that snow leopards and their habitats face increasing threats from both climate change and human activities.
“Warming temperatures, retreating glaciers, and shifting vegetation patterns are steadily shrinking the species’ alpine habitat. In addition, overgrazing, depletion of prey species such as ibex and markhor, illegal hunting, and retaliatory killings continue to undermine conservation efforts,” he explained.
He added that expanding infrastructure, mining, and unregulated tourism in fragile mountain ecosystems have further fragmented the snow leopard’s range. “Climate-induced habitat shifts are now forcing these cats closer to human settlements, increasing the risk of conflict and poaching,” Mr. Shaikh noted.
Highlighting that protecting snow leopards requires more than field interventions, he underscored the importance of policy advocacy, community engagement, and public awareness.
“Awareness and advocacy campaigns in mountain communities can reduce retaliatory killings and promote coexistence through livestock insurance schemes, predator-proof corrals, and community-based ecotourism,” he said.
Outlining Pakistan’s ongoing initiatives, Shaikh stated that the climate change ministry, in partnership with national and international organisations, is implementing several projects—including the National Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Programme under GSLEP commitments.
The ministry is also strengthening community-based conservation projects in Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral that offer compensation and alternative livelihoods for herders, reducing human-wildlife conflict and supporting the species’ long-term survival.
He added that research and monitoring efforts are being expanded with the support of partner organizations and provincial wildlife departments.
Awareness initiatives targeting youth engagement, sustainable tourism, and anti-poaching are also underway, along with efforts to promote cross-border cooperation with neighbouring countries to protect transboundary wildlife corridors.
“These programmes have already begun to yield positive outcomes by reducing human-wildlife conflict and improving monitoring capacity in key habitats,” Shaikh remarked.
He concluded by stressing the need for sustained advocacy and education. “Policy change and public awareness must go hand in hand,” he said. “Conservation success depends on both effective governance and community ownership.”
“Ensuring effective enforcement of wildlife protection laws, responsible and environmentally sustainable tourism, and climate-resilient development in high-altitude regions must remain a national priority,” Shaikh emphasised.
