Environment ยท GS3
Science-based snow leopard conservation
One line
India presented advances in snow leopard population estimation, radio telemetry, and genetic analysis at an international roundtable.
Summary
Snow leopards occupy vast, remote mountain landscapes where direct observation is difficult. Scientific monitoring can guide corridor protection and conflict mitigation, but community stewardship remains indispensable.
PYQ pattern
UPSC can connect flagship-species monitoring with mountain ecology, community conservation, climate change, and transboundary cooperation.
Core notes
- Camera traps identify individuals from coat patterns and record presence.
- Genetic analysis of scat or hair can help identify individuals and connectivity.
- Radio or satellite telemetry reveals movement and habitat use.
- Conservation must include prey, grazing, infrastructure, tourism, and livestock-depredation responses.
Prelims lens
- Snow leopards occur in India's high-altitude Himalayan and trans-Himalayan regions.
- They are adapted to cold, rugged, low-oxygen environments.
- A population estimate includes uncertainty and depends on sampling design.
MCQ 1
Which method can estimate snow-leopard presence without capturing the animal?
- A. Camera trapping and genetic analysis of scat
- B. Ocean sonar only
- C. Crop cutting
- D. Consumer survey
Reveal answerHide answer
A
Both are widely used non-invasive wildlife-monitoring approaches.
MCQ 2
Telemetry data is especially useful for studying:
- A. Movement and habitat use
- B. Wholesale inflation
- C. Fertiliser subsidy
- D. Court pendency
Reveal answerHide answer
A
Tracking devices reveal movement patterns and landscape connectivity.
Mains
Question, 10 marks, 150 words: How can science and community institutions complement each other in snow-leopard conservation?
Approach:
- Explain monitoring challenges.
- Discuss cameras, genetics, and telemetry.
- Link prey, corridors, livestock conflict, and livelihoods.
- Suggest compensation and transboundary cooperation.