Number of endangered snow leopard goes up in Mustang

Mustang / November 28: The number of snow leopard, an endangered species found in Himalayas, is expected to have increased in Mustang district after the launching of ‘green forest programme’ from the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP).

The ACAP had launched the programme four years ago in the district after the sharp decrease in the number of snow leopards.

Locals said the leopards that were not visible in the areas some years ago are now traced in the villages and have even entered the human settlements to attack the sheep and yaks.

Chief of ACAP Office in Lho Manthang, Santosh Sherchan, said that the move launched to conserve the endangered species has become successful.

ACAP has been launching the programme with support from the USAID and other organisations. “We have laid emphasis on climate change resilience to wildlife conservation,” Sherchan said.

“The major problem of the snow leopards was lack of prey. Currently, sufficient number of preys is found in the forests. Rise in the number of snow leopard is a positive sign,” he shared.

Experts have estimated that the snow leopards have increased mostly in Charang, Ghami, Kagbeni, Chhonhup and Chhoser VDCs. Sherchan also said that they were planning to conduct a study to figure out the total number of snow leopards. RSS