Interior minister graces graduation ceremony at Naif Arab University for Security Sciences    Prophet's Mosque imam underscores Islam's core values at peace conference in India    Saudi, Indian foreign ministers co-chair Cooperation Committee meeting in New Delhi    198 new sites documented in the National Antiquities Register    Cityscape Global 2024: Saudi real estate sector booms with SR180 billion in new projects    PIF to sell 2% stake in stc via accelerated book-building    SAMA issues rules for opening electronic wallets    TGA suspends 2 passenger transport applications and an application for food delivery    South Korean actor Song Jae Lim found dead at 39    Trump names Fox News host Pete Hegseth as defense secretary pick    There is nowhere safe in Gaza, UNRWA director says    Archbishop of Canterbury resigns over Church abuse scandal    US says it will not limit arms transfers to Israel    Don't sit on the toilet for more than 10 minutes, doctors warn    Saudi Champion Saeed Al-Mouri scores notable feat in Radical World Championship in Abu Dhabi with support from Bin-Shihon Group    'Marvels of Saudi Orchestra' to dazzle audience in Tokyo on Nov. 22    Rita Ora is tearful in tribute to Liam Payne at MTV Awards    France to deploy 4,000 police officers for UEFA Nations League match against Israel    Al Nassr edges past Al Riyadh with Mane's goal to move up to third    Al Ahli continues strong form with 2-0 win over Al Raed in Saudi Pro League    India puts blockbuster Pakistani film on hold    The Vikings and the Islamic world    Filipino pilgrim's incredible evolution from an enemy of Islam to its staunch advocate    Muted Eid celebrations for millions of Nigerian Muslims    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



First-ever survey puts India's snow leopard population at 718
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 31 - 01 - 2024

India is home to 718 snow leopards, according to the first-ever survey of the animal in the country, the federal environment ministry has said.
This means that Indian snow leopards account for roughly 10-15% of the big cat's global population.
The snow leopard is classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Its numbers in the wild face multiple threats — from habitat loss and poaching to infrastructure development.
The survey — Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India (SPAI) Program — was done from 2019 to 2023.
It was conducted as part of the Population Assessment of the World's Snow Leopards (Paws), a global effort to determine the snow leopard's numbers.
The survey in India covered roughly 120,000 sq km (46,332 sq miles) of the animal's habitat across the trans-Himalayan region.
"Until recent years, the snow leopard range in India was undefined due to a lack of extensive nationwide assessments for this vulnerable species," the environment ministry said in a statement.
The survey covered 70% of the potential snow leopard habitat in the country, including the regions of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir, the states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand in northern India, and Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh in the northeast.
After camera traps identified 214 individual snow leopards, surveyors analyzed leopard trails and other data to estimate the animal's population at 718.
The report says that understanding the precise population of the animal is important because of its role as the apex predator in the Himalayan ecosystem.
The snow leopard population can indicate health of the ecosystem as well as help identify potential threats to its habitat and shifts caused by climate change, it adds.
"The integrity of these high-altitude habitats is intertwined with the socio-cultural fabric of local communities and the economic sustenance of populations residing downstream."
The report says that 70% of the land used by the animal is unprotected and provides critical habitat for wildlife.
The animal will need consistent monitoring to ensure its long-term survival, it adds. — BBC


Clic here to read the story from its source.