GLOBAL SNOW LEOPARD AND ECOSYSTEM PROTECTION PROGRAM BHUTAN
GLOBAL SNOW LEOPARD AND ECOSYSTEM PROTECTION PROGRAM BHUTAN Bishkek snow leopard forum, 22 nd october 2013
Importance of global snow leopard program for Bhutan � A platform for the common goal towards snow leopard conservation. � Ensuring descent livelihood through addressing human -snow leopard conflict � Opportunity for fund raising and seeking support � Learning and knowledge sharing � Achieving the common goal in partnership
Snow leopard and its Ecosystem conservation values. � 1. Conservation and protection of the mountain ecosystem and biodiversity � 2. Range land conservation: the livelihood for the high land dwellers through pasture and medicinal plants � 3. Conserving the water towers for the country’s economy through hydro power generation and for irrigation at the down streams
Status of snow leopard conservation � In 1997, a training workshop on Snow leopard Information and Management System (SLIMS) was organized in Bhutan funded by WWF and International Snow Leopard Trust (ISLT). � In 2005, the Royal Government of Bhutan in collaboration with WWF organized the South Asian Regional Consultative Workshop for Snow Leopard Conservation. � - The workshop brought together several snow leopard experts from the snow leopard range countries who helped prepare the WWF’s regional strategy and action plan for snow leopard conservation in the Himalayas. � sporadic work on snow leopard continued across the range countries including Bhutan. First national stock taking on snow leopard conducted in 2012. � � Currently snow leopard and its prey assessment using camera traps and point count respectively are being carried out in Wangchuck Centennial Park and Jigme Dorji National Park.
Threats � Direct threats � most of the snow leopard habitat in Bhutan are also a traditional grazing area for the nomadic communities--retaliatory killing by the frustrated farmers � Indirect threats � Prey base reduction through associate carnivore species Disturbance on the habitat by the Ophiocordyceps collectors Further, the livestock intensification programe has increased the size of the yak population, therefore increasing the pressure on the wild prey’s resources. ---grazing competition between the domestic and wild prey--impact on prey base emerging scenario of climate change : alpine vegetation is pushed up by the low land woody vegetation due to warming---shrinking the potential space for both the snow leopard and its prey. � � �
National Goal � Long term goal : � “To maintain a viable interconnected population of breeding snow leopards in Bhutan and trans-boundary landscape, a population existing predominantly on wild prey and in harmonious coexistence with the communities and conserving the mountain ecosystem of Bhutan. ” � � Medium-term goal: � ‘By 2017, secure two populations of Snow Leopard in Bhutan Biological Corridor Complex (B 2 C 2)’. �
Priority Actions 1. Development of Bhutan Snow leopard Conservation Action Plan 2. Identification of funding partners both national and external
Key Actions Conservation 1. Survey to assess the snow leopard in the potential habitats 2. . Habitat mapping 3. Monitoring of the population 4. Community participation and Conflict mitigation 5. Anti-poaching and curbing illegal trade 6. Conservation education and awareness Research 1. Long term monitoring of Snow Leopard and prey base population 2. Habitat use and movement ecology; 3. Human-Snow Leopard conflict; 4. People, Snow Leopard and prey interaction 5. Genetic study on Snow leopard Human Resource Development Training on: - Laboratorytechniques Establishment of genetic laboratory - Animal immobilization and handling Construction of - Use of field equipment) genetic laboratory 4. Survey methodology, research design and analysis.
RAKHMAT , SPASIVA & THANK YOU
- Slides: 9