Question : Snow Leopards

(a) the total number of snow leopards in the country during the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise;
(b) whether a number of leopards have been killed during the year 2018 and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
(c) the number of poachers who have been arrested and booked for killing leopards along with leopards poached during last ten years;
(d) whether the Government has released funds to States under the Project ‘Snow Leopard’ and if so, the details of funds allocated to States during the last three years and the current year; and
(e) the steps being taken for conservation and protection of the leopards in the country?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

(a) The State/Union Territory - wise population of Snow Leopards is not collated in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

(b) and (c) As per the data received by State Enforcement Agencies, no Snow Leopards are killed during the year 2018. During last ten years nine Snow Leopard were killed and eight poachers are arrested.

(d)During the last three years, based on the proposals received under Centrally Sponsored Scheme – Development of Wildlife Habitats from the State Governments, the Ministry has released the funds as below:

(Rs in Lakhs)
States/Year 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18
Arunachal Pradesh - - -
Himachal Pradesh 33.96 lakhs - -
Jammu and Kashmir 4.81 Rs. 386.505 lakhs
Sikkim - - -
Uttarakhand - - -


(e) The steps being taken for conservation and protection of the leopards in the country are:
i. The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 provides for punishment for violation of its provisions. The Act also provides for forfeiture of any equipment, vehicle or weapon that is used for committing wildlife offence(s).
ii. Law enforcement authorities in the States maintain strict vigil against poaching of Snow Leopards.
iii. The Ministry has launched ‘Project Snow Leopard’, implemented in the Himalayan States of Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Sikkim and Uttarakhand.
iv. The Ministry with the financial support of Global Environment Facility (GEF) and in partnership with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is implementing GoI-UNDP-GEF Project: Securing livelihoods, conservation, sustainable use and restoration of high range Himalayan ecosystems (SECURE Himalaya), wherein the landscapes of Snow Leopard in the states of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Sikkim and Uttarakhand are integral part of the project.
v. Wildlife Crime Control Bureau has been set up to gather intelligence about poaching and unlawful trade in wild animals and animal articles, including Snow Leopards, and to achieve inter-state and trans-boundary coordination in enforcement of wildlife laws.
vi. The State/Union Territory Governments have been requested to strengthen the field formations and intensity patrolling in and around Protected Areas.
vii. Protected Areas, viz., National Parks, Sanctuaries, Conservation Reserves and Community Reserves covering important wildlife habitats have been created all over the country under the provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 to conserve wild animals and their habitats.
viii. Financial assistant is provided to State/Union Territory Governments under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes of ‘Development of Wildlife Habitats’, ‘Project Tiger’ and ‘Project Elephant’, for providing better protection to wildlife including Snow Leopards and improvement of habitat.

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