changeadminIndia observed International Snow Leopard Day on 23rd October with a unique initiative titled ‘#23for23’, encouraging people across the country to engage in physical activities for 23 minutes to raise awareness about the conservation of snow leopards and their fragile habitats.
As part of the #23for23 campaign, which invites individuals, institutions, and communities worldwide to dedicate 23 minutes of physical activity —such as walking, running, cycling, yoga, or stretching —to honour the snow leopard, the ultimate mountain athlete.
The campaign, initiated by the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program (GSLEP) and the Snow Leopard Trust, aims to raise global awareness of snow leopards and their mountain ecosystems and to inspire public participation in conservation through a symbolic 23-minute action. It also demonstrates solidarity among all snow leopard range countries in protecting the species.
GSLEP is an alliance of all snow leopard range countries, NGOs, multilateral institutions, scientists, and local communities dedicated to the conservation of snow leopard and its mountain ecosystems.
India’s Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Mr Bhupender Yadav, led the celebrations and lauded the participation of citizens, institutions, and the Indian Army in this creative awareness campaign.
Highlighting India’s conservation success under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Minister noted in a social media post that the country’s snow leopard conservation programme has shown encouraging results.
The recently concluded first-ever Snow Leopard Census recorded 718 individual snow leopards across the Indian Himalayas, with Ladakh alone hosting 477.
The International Snow Leopard Day reaffirms India’s dedication to the goals of the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Programme (GSLEP). It reflects India’s continued emphasis on science-based monitoring, habitat protection, and community engagement to ensure the long-term survival of this iconic species.
The Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India (SPAI) is a nationwide program that scientifically estimates and monitors snow leopard populations. It covers specific landscapes including Hemis-Spiti, Nanda Devi-Gangotri, and Khangchendzonga-Tawang.
The snow leopard (panthera uncia) inhabits mountains of Central and South Asia. Apart from India, snow leopards are found in Bhutan, Afghanistan, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Nepal, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan—the largest share is in the Tibetan plateau of China, followed by Mongolia and India.
This elusive species is listed as globally Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List as it faces threats from growing human populations and infrastructural development projects such as mines, roads, and dams.
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