Camera trapping initiated to monitor snow leopards in Upper Mustang

KATHMANDU: Camera trapping has been launched in three locations in Upper Mustang to monitor the snow leopard population, following increasing human-wildlife conflict in the area.

According to Umesh Poudel, the chief of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), cameras have been installed in the Varagung Muktichhetra Rural Municipality-3 Samar region with 12 units, two units on the ridge above Thulungphat in Lomanthang, and one above the Lomanthang market.

These cameras are part of an effort to track the current status of snow leopards and determine the exact locations and numbers of these elusive predators in the region.

The move comes after continuous complaints from locals regarding the damage caused by snow leopards, especially to livestock. The goal of the camera trapping project is to monitor snow leopards while minimizing the impact on local communities’ livelihoods.

The ACAP’s team, led by Chief Umesh Poudel, has initiated this study as part of their responsibility to protect snow leopards and other wildlife.

Poudel highlighted the need for a balanced approach that protects both the snow leopard population and the local pastoral traditions, which have been practiced for centuries.

Snow leopards, often referred to as the “queen of the mountains,” play a crucial ecological role and are an important part of the cultural and biological heritage of the region. With the effects of climate change disrupting the alpine ecosystem, snow leopards have started to descend to lower altitudes in search of food, increasingly coming into contact with human settlements.

Earlier, the ACAP installed 31 cameras across various areas such as Yaruzho View Tower, Namukhlek, Sanga, Tiri, and Kagbeni in Upper Mustang to conduct surveys and monitor snow leopard activities.

Experts will also analyze the impact of climate change on the ecosystem and the snow leopards’ behavior and diet.

As grasslands in the Himalayan region become scarce due to climate change, snow leopards are being forced to venture closer to villages in search of prey.

Researchers believe that this shift could lead to more frequent human-wildlife conflicts unless managed properly.

The study aims to foster a sustainable management plan that addresses both conservation efforts and the protection of local livelihoods, ensuring that the majestic snow leopard and the people of Upper Mustang can coexist peacefully.