Year-round presence of snow leopards confirmed in Jammu & Kashmir: Study

By A Representative 

A landmark three-year camera-trapping study by the Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF) and the Wildlife Protection Department of Jammu & Kashmir has confirmed the year-round presence and breeding activity of snow leopards in the Union Territory, marking a significant breakthrough for high-altitude biodiversity conservation in India. The survey was supported by Royal Enfield Social Mission as part of its ongoing commitment to the conservation of keystone species and Himalayan ecosystems.

Conducted between 2022 and 2025 across the Kishtwar Himalayas under the Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India (SPAI) protocol, the study recorded snow leopards even during harsh winter months in both Paddar (Jammu division) and Zojila (Kashmir division). This indicates not only year-round use of the landscape but also the presence of a stable, resident population.

Over 3,000 camera trap nights across Kishtwar High Altitude National Park (KHANP), Paddar, and Zojila documented at least 12 adult snow leopards, with an estimated presence of up to 20 individuals. Importantly, the recording of a mother with cubs in Kishtwar confirms active breeding in the region.

“These findings reaffirm the importance of Jammu and Kashmir as a key snow leopard stronghold. It is time to treat the Kishtwar Himalayas not as isolated valleys, but as part of an interconnected conservation landscape,” said Dr. Shahid Hameed, Wildlife Research and Project Coordinator at NCF.

Vigyat Singh, Director – Operations, Eicher Group Foundation, the CSR arm of Royal Enfield, said, “At Royal Enfield Social Mission, we are committed to the long-term conservation of keystone species like the snow leopard through community-led action and sustained ecological research. This study shows what can be achieved when scientific rigour, local stewardship, and institutional collaboration come together.”

Beyond snow leopards, the study also recorded 16 other mammal species, including Himalayan brown bear, Himalayan wolf, Kashmir musk deer, Asiatic ibex, common leopard, pika, and red fox. In some areas, snow leopards and common leopards were found using the same habitats, raising important questions about species interactions and the possible impact of climate change on range shifts.

The survey also conducted a landscape-level threat assessment through interviews with over 300 households in Paddar, Warwan, Dacchan, and Marwah. Livestock depredation and crop damage emerged as key concerns affecting local livelihoods, underlining the urgent need for context-specific mitigation strategies.

As part of its outreach, the team conducted six workshops with the Wildlife Research & Conservation Foundation (WRCF), engaging more than 1,200 participants, including students and frontline forest staff. These included biodiversity awareness sessions, mock drills for human-wildlife conflict management, and conservation education.

The report emphasizes the need for adaptive, landscape-level conservation in line with Project Snow Leopard and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which highlight the central role of local communities. Field efforts were led by NCF, trained local youth, and the Wildlife Protection Department of Jammu & Kashmir, with support from Royal Enfield Social Mission.