Umaisar Gull Ganie
Kishtwar, Oct 17: In Kishtwar, the snow leopard population in the High Altitude National Park continues to thrive. This has been revealed by the recently installed camera traps.
Officials told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that camera traps installed a month ago at Kiyar Nallah in Kishtwar’s high altitude area captured stunning images of these elusive creatures. “These camera trap images highlight the snow leopard’s remarkable adaptability to the challenging high-altitude environment of Kishtwar. Kishtwar High Altitude National Park boasts a rich variety of flora and fauna, including several rare and endangered species,” official said.
Designated as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), snow leopards primarily inhabit altitudes between 3,000 and 4,500 meters, and they have been sighted in various regions, including Kishtwar National Park, parts of Jammu, central and north Kashmir and Ladakh.
Talking to KNO, Majid Bashir Mintoo, Wildlife Warden of Chenab Division Kishtwar, expressed his delight over these sightings, underlining the significance of this conservation success.
He said that camera traps were set up a month ago, and snow leopards have been consistently spotted since then. He noted that this marks the second time in recent years that camera traps have confirmed the presence of these magnificent creatures in various areas. Furthermore, additional cameras are being deployed in different locations, raising expectations for more promising results.
Discussing habitat management, Mintoo emphasized that Kishtwar provides an ideal environment for these elusive animals. He mentioned that sightings have increased over the past year, but snow leopards are incredibly difficult to spot with the naked eye. Therefore, the department has taken the initiative to employ trap cameras as a means to monitor and confirm their presence in the region—(KNO)
