As Sikkim marked its 50th year of statehood, the Himalayan state unveiled a landmark achievement— its first-ever snow leopard census. The golden jubilee brought not just festivity but also a renewed sense of conservation pride, as the Sikkim government revealed that 21 elusive and endangered snow leopards were found in the high-altitude regions of the state.
This census was conducted by the Sikkim Forest Department in collaboration with the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) India. The census covered the districts of Geising, Pakyong and Mangan— regions nestled in the biodiverse foothills of Mount Kanchenjunga.
As part of the Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India (SPAI) initiative, a total of 210 trap cameras were strategically installed across 99 locations, spanning 5,179 square kilometers of mountainous terrain. The operation, which ran from April to September 2024, also included physical tracking through direct sightings and footprint analysis. Survey teams consisted of 32 trained personnel— 11 in Mangan, 17 in Geising and 4 in Pakyong.
While the main focus was the snow leopard, locally known as ‘Kuzu’, the cameras also recorded the presence of several other rare and endangered Schedule-1 species including the Royal Bengal Tiger, Blue Sheep, Himalayan Musk Deer, Red Fox and Himalayan Marmot. In some surprising footage, both a snow leopard and a tiger were captured together, sparking excitement among wildlife experts.
“This is a milestone in the conservation of endangered species,” said Pradeep Kumar, Principal Secretary of Sikkim’s Forest and Environment Department, adding, “The co-existence of apex predators captured on camera is a testament to the rich and fragile biodiversity of our state.”
In honor of the golden jubilee, the Sikkim government has declared the snow leopard as the state’s official mascot—symbolising a renewed commitment to environmental protection. The animal has long been known to inhabit the region, but no official population count had ever been conducted since Sikkim attained statehood in 1975.
Following the release of the census report, the state has announced an action plan to preserve the snow leopard and other near-extinct species. This includes intensified monitoring, targeted research into snow leopard behavior and habitat, public awareness campaigns and the formation of special anti-poaching squads.
Importantly, with snow leopard sightings also reported in parts of neighboring West Bengal, both state governments are expected to join hands to coordinate future conservation efforts across regional boundaries.
Follow us
