International Snow Leopard Day marked as climate change threatens habitats

International Snow Leopard Day was marked on 23 October with events aimed at raising public awareness regarding the conservation of the rare species. The global celebration took place across 12 countries, including Nepal, under the theme focusing on protecting snow leopards as guardians of high mountain ecosystems. Nepal currently contains 397 snow leopards living across a habitat spanning 30,500 square kilometres in the high mountain areas. Experts caution that environmental shifts are heavily affecting these elevated regions, which naturally alters the survival patterns and routines of the snow leopard population. To counter these ongoing threats, the Ministry of Forest and Environment has formulated and implemented the Snow Leopard Conservation and Action Plan (2024–2030). Officials stated that safeguarding the animal's natural habitat remains a priority under this initiative to maintain ecological balance in the mountains.