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Sikkim Assembly adopts report on 12 left-out communities

Sikkim Assembly adopts report on 12 left-out communities

by Pankaj Dhungel December 13, 2025December 13, 2025

Sikkim records 21, Arunachal Pradesh 36 snow leopards in India’s first nationwide census GANGTOK: India’s first-ever Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India (SPAI), conducted from 2019 to 2023, has placed Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh among the key eastern Himalayan habitats, documenting 21 and 36 snow leopards respectively. The findings, released on 30 January 2024, mark India’s first systematic and scientific estimation of the elusive high-altitude species. Across the Himalayan region, the exercise estimated a total national population of 718 snow leopards. The highest numbers were recorded in Ladakh (477), followed by Uttarakhand (124), Himachal Pradesh (51), Arunachal Pradesh (36), Sikkim (21) and Jammu & Kashmir (9). The SPAI survey covered nearly 1,20,000 sq km of potential habitat, deploying one of the largest wildlife monitoring exercises undertaken in the country. Survey teams walked 13,450 km of transects for sign surveys and installed 1,971 camera traps, resulting in 1.8 lakh trap nights and the identification of 241 individual snow leopards. The assessment followed a rigorous two-stage scientific method—mapping distribution through occupancy-based sampling and estimating abundance through stratified camera-trap surveys. Coordination was led by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), with participation from all snow-leopard range states and local conservation partners. With SPAI establishing India’s first reliable population benchmark, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change launched SPAI 2.0 during Wildlife Week 2025 to further strengthen scientific monitoring, structured assessments and community participation across high-altitude landscapes. Snow leopard conservation receives central support under the Species Recovery Programme of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme Development of Wildlife Habitats. The species is one of 24 priority animals identified for targeted protection. SPAI now forms the foundation for the Ministry’s expanded conservation action plan with a focus on long-term monitoring and enhanced community engagement. Under the National Snow Leopard Ecosystem Protection Priorities (NSLEP), the Ministry has prioritised actions such as Project Snow Leopard (PSL)—developed in consultation with Himalayan states—and SECURE Himalaya, which integrates wildlife protection with livelihood measures for mountain communities. Snow leopards are protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, providing the highest level of legal safeguarding. India’s conservation strategy focuses on securing high-altitude habitats through strengthened protected-area management, landscape-level planning and community-based stewardship. Large tracts of snow-leopard terrain are safeguarded through designated biosphere reserves, including the Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve in Himachal Pradesh—part of UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves—alongside Nanda Devi and Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserves. The Ministry has noted that long-term protection of high-altitude ecosystems depends on preventing habitat degradation, improving landscape management, and ensuring coordinated scientific monitoring undertaken jointly by state governments and conservation agencies.

Free Digest, News, Northeast News, Sikkim

India’s first Snow Leopard census: 57 found in Sikkim, Arunachal

by Pankaj Dhungel December 12, 2025December 12, 2025

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by Pankaj Dhungel December 12, 2025December 12, 2025

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by Pankaj Dhungel December 12, 2025December 12, 2025

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by Pankaj Dhungel December 12, 2025December 12, 2025

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by Pankaj Dhungel December 11, 2025December 11, 2025

Sikkim needs special attention in electoral roll revision: Lok Sabha MP

Sikkim needs special attention in electoral roll revision: Lok Sabha MP

by Pankaj Dhungel December 11, 2025December 11, 2025

He said the continued suspension of trade since the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020 has “severely affected the economic and livelihood conditions of traditional traders, transporters and porters” in Sikkim’s border communities.

Sikkim MP urges need to resume Indo-China border trade at Nathula

by Pankaj Dhungel December 11, 2025December 11, 2025

Sikkim: Over Rs 1,300 cr granted for water and river projects in 5 years

Sikkim: Over Rs 1,300 cr granted for water, river projects in 5 years

by Pankaj Dhungel December 9, 2025December 9, 2025

Sikkim Uni VC justifies hiring ex-Tezpur Uni officer despite irregularity claims

by Pankaj Dhungel December 7, 2025December 7, 2025