ISLAMABAD: Present in only 12 countries in central Asia including Pakistan, the snow leopard can face extinction due to the huge demand for its skin, which is seen as a status symbol, and for its bones which are used in ancient medicine recipes.

Speaking at an event held in connection with International Snow Leopard Day on Monday, Inspector General Forests Syed Mahmood Nasir said the snow leopard has cultural significance in central Asian countries. He said they were once considered enemies and that due to global efforts, more snow leopard deaths are caused by diseases than due to killings.

“Arrangements are being made to administer vaccines to snow leopards and save them from diseases. They are one of the most endangered cat species,” he said.

Participants of the event titled ‘Snow Leopard Conservation for a Resilient Mountain Eco System’ were also shown a documentary according to which an estimated 3,000 to 7,500 snow leopards exist in the 12 countries and that there are 200 of the cats in Pakistan.

The leopards are good climbers and golden eagles and foxes also survive due to snow leopards as they feed on the flesh of animals killed by the snow leopards, which hunt once in 10 days. The snow leopard mostly hunts livestock and can kill between 20 and 100 animals in one go.

According to the documentary, habitats for snow leopards are shrinking and by 2030, the alpine habitat will shrink by a third. Efforts have been started to convince people to not attack the animal and consider it a friend and some 800 cameras have been installed in order to know more about the animal.

Federal Minister for Climate Change Senator Mushahid Ullah Khan said his ministry has involved all provinces and relevant stakeholders for planning a conservation strategy.

Norwegian Ambassador Dr Tore Nedrebo said Norway had established a national disaster relief fund in 1962 in order to address climate change and related issues and that such a fund should be established in Pakistan in the snow leopard range in order to cope with climate change and its impacts.

Measures to improve the status of the snow leopard in Pakistan will have positive impacts on the overall mountain community and contribute to a resilient ecosystem, he added.

Federal Secretary Ministry of Climate Change Syed Abu Ahmed Akif said Pakistan is an active member of the Global Snow Leopard Ecosystem program (GSLEP) process and had chaired the GSLEP steering committee for years. Three GSLEP model landscapes -Karakoram-Pamir, Himalayas and Hindu Kush- fall in Pakistan.

The products of the Snow Leopard Enterprise were also put on display, which were made by women from snow leopard range communities.

Published in Dawn, October 24th, 2017