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| Spotlights on snow leopard of J&K | | Govt. to strengthen protected areas: Najmus Saqib | |
B L KAK
NEW DELHI, DEC 1
'Project Snow Leopard' is being launched in Jammu and Kashmir early next year when a series of measures will be put in place to protect the wild cat population threatened by poaching and the loss of habitat.
This information has been furnished by Najmus Saqib, Environment Commisioner to the Jammu and Kashmir government, in the course of an interview with the Jammu-based correspondent of Reuters. Najmus Saqib has been reported as divuling that Kashmir's highly endangered yet largely neglected snow leopard population will be given "special protection" under a new conservation project aimed at curbing poaching and boosting dwindling numbers.
In the interview, Najmus Saqib has been quoted as saying: "Our attempt is to mitigate and address the identified threats besides strengthening the protected areas in Kashmir. This is a major challenge for us but the snow leopard is the heritage of the Himalayas."
Scientifically known as the Uncia uncia, the solitary cats are native to the remote mountain ranges of central and southern Asia, where their population is estimated to be around 7,000. India has between 200 and 600 snow leopards -- the third-largest population of the wild cats after China and Mongolia -- of which around half inhabit Kashmir's Himalayan mountain range at altitudes of about 9,800 feet.
The cats, whose pelts command a high price on the international black market, are a protected species but wildlife groups say there have been no real conservation measures to help save the endangered animals. The British news agency report has quoted officials--none of them has been identifed--as saying that the degradation of their natural habitat, poaching for their furs, reduction of their prey due to hunting, and killings by local people in retribution for attacks on their livestock are some of the main threats.
A 'separatist revolt' in Kashmir, the report maintained, has also had an impact. "Project Snow Leopard", Najmus Saqib has let it be known, would aim to give more money, training and manpower to forest and wildlife departments. Officials would also monitor leopard populations and look at ways to involve local communities in conservation efforts.
Weighing up to 75 kg, the snow leopard has a thick, soft grey coat with ringed black spots to help it camouflage itself against rocks. Its tail is almost the same length as its body and helps it maintain its balance on the rugged mountain terrain |
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