Guwahati: Sikkim is set to take centre stage in India’s big cat conservation diplomacy as the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has selected Gangtok to host the national thematic event on snow leopard conservation ahead of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Summit 2026.
The event, themed “Sentinel of the Himalaya”, will spotlight the fragile Himalayan ecosystem and Sikkim’s growing role in high-altitude wildlife conservation. It is part of a nationwide series dedicated to India’s five wild big cat species — Tiger, Asiatic Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard and Cheetah — aimed at showcasing the country’s conservation achievements and strengthening global cooperation under the IBCA initiative.
The selection of Gangtok comes as Sikkim has emerged as one of India’s key snow leopard habitats. India’s first-ever Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India (SPAI), conducted between 2019 and 2023, documented 21 snow leopards in the state, placing Sikkim among the country’s important high-altitude conservation landscapes. Arunachal Pradesh recorded 36 snow leopards, while the national population was estimated at 718.
The SPAI exercise, regarded as India’s first systematic scientific estimation of the elusive species, covered nearly 1.2 lakh sq km of potential habitat and involved extensive sign surveys and camera trapping across the Himalayan region.
According to the ministry, the Gangtok programme will focus on conservation of fragile mountain ecosystems, climate-resilient strategies and community-led protection efforts involving Himalayan communities.
India’s snow leopard conservation efforts have gained momentum through the SPAI programme, promotion of sustainable livelihoods and eco-tourism, protection of high-altitude prey habitats, and collaboration among Himalayan states for transboundary conservation initiatives.
Following the landmark census, the Centre launched SPAI 2.0 during Wildlife Week 2025 to strengthen long-term scientific monitoring and community participation across high-altitude landscapes. The conservation programme is being implemented under the National Snow Leopard Ecosystem Protection Priorities (NSLEP), alongside initiatives such as Project Snow Leopard and SECURE Himalaya.
The Centre said the thematic events are designed as precursor programmes to the IBCA Summit 2026 and will help promote awareness, strengthen stakeholder engagement and showcase India’s leadership in wildlife conservation.
Launched by India, the International Big Cat Alliance seeks to strengthen global cooperation for the conservation of seven major big cat species through knowledge-sharing, policy collaboration and coordinated conservation action.
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