In-depth research is being conducted on the population, habitat, and ecological impact of the snow leopard by installing cameras in 14 grids in the high mountainous regions of Manang.
What you should know
A snow leopard survey is underway here with the aim of collecting data on the endangered snow leopard, which is considered an indicator of the Himalayan ecosystem.
The National Trust for Nature (NTNC) and the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) will jointly conduct camera trapping with experts to monitor the status, census and wildlife of the snow leopard in the Manang region.
Dhak Bahadur Bhujel, head of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project Unit, informed that the survey was conducted to understand the status of the rare and endangered wildlife snow leopard within the Annapurna Conservation Area. He said that the survey conducted in the high Himalayan areas around Narphu, Ngisyang, Khangsar, Tilicho, Gumsang, Bhimthang under the Annapurna Conservation Area has confirmed that the Manang is one of the potential major habitats of the snow leopard.
'The snow leopard is an indicator species of the Himalayan ecosystem. If its presence is safe, the entire ecosystem balance of the area is also considered to be in good condition,' said Chief Bhujel. He said that the areas around Ngisyang, Narphu and Tilicho in Manang have been identified as potential habitats of the snow leopard. According to him, the cameras have been installed for the survey based on camera traps, footprints, feces (scat) collection and the experience of local herders.
According to wildlife and environmental experts involved in the survey, snow leopard conservation is not just a wildlife conservation issue but is directly linked to the entire Himalayan ecosystem, local livelihoods and future tourism. Bhujel said that the study is being conducted by dividing the Manang Ngisyang Valley, Bhimthang Valley and Narphu Valley, which are located at an altitude of about 3,200 meters to more than 5,200 meters above sea level, into three areas.
These areas include alpine grasslands, coniferous forest patches, dry riverbeds, ridgelines and animal paths. They are the main habitats for snow leopards and their prey. He said that a total of 129 cameras have been installed in this area.
57 cameras have been installed in the Manang Ngisyang Valley, 29 in the Bhimthang Valley and 43 in the Narphu Valley. The cameras are also being surveyed in a collaborative effort with an international researcher studying the Himalayan wolf. The researchers are sharing 22 cameras and data, ACAP said.
"If the snow leopard is safe, it means that prey species such as the sable, the grasslands and the overall Himalayan environment are also in a balanced state," he said.
The monitoring study, which began on October 14, 2024, covers the Bhimthang Valley and the Annapurna-Manaslu region, the main snow leopard area, including the Manang block, which was identified in the previous snow leopard profile study (Chhetri et al., 2017).
For this study, the National Trust for Nature Conservation and ACAP said that the Manang block has been divided into 14 grid cells, each measuring 5x5 square kilometers. Camera traps have been installed randomly within each grid to ensure fair and systematic data collection.
Camera traps have been installed along animal paths, ridgelines, forest areas, water sources and known or suspected prey areas, away from human settlements and infrastructure, according to ACAP. Data on prey species are being recorded within each grid cell to support snow leopard population estimates and ecosystem analysis. Equipment including cameras, batteries, memory cards, gloves, silica gel, scat collection tubes and data recording forms have been installed.
Bhujel said that the initial survey estimated the number of snow leopards in the area to be around 50. Final figures are yet to be released as the survey is ongoing.
The surveyors said that the cameras have recorded a variety of wildlife species including the Himalayan wolf, red fox, blue sheep, musk deer, yellow-necked martens, Himalayan serval, ghoral and leopard cat, he informed. Which reflects a healthy and balanced mountain ecosystem.
Data collected through camera trapping, scat surveys and predation assessments are expected to play an important role in identifying human-wildlife conflict hotspots. This has been achieved through programs such as improved animal husbandry practices, predation reduction, seasonal grazing management and community awareness focused on coexistence. The surveyors estimate that the number of snow leopards may increase as they have contributed to the conservation of the snow leopard, according to ACAP.
The survey is being conducted with the assistance of NRCA, Prakash Adhikari of NTNC ACAP Manang, Conservation Officer Gopal Khanal of the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Department, Om Bahadur Gurung, Gyan Bahadur Gurung, Yam Bahadur Gurung and Bhaktasin Gurung of NTNC ACAP Manang.
