India Marks International Snow Leopard Day with Nationwide ‘#23for23’ Initiative

In News

India celebrated International Snow Leopard Day with a nationwide campaign titled ‘#23for23’, encouraging citizens to devote 23 minutes of physical activity to promote awareness about snow leopard conservation and the protection of fragile mountain ecosystems.

Analysis

• Nationwide Participation:
  The campaign saw active participation from citizens, educational institutions, and the Indian Army, reflecting a wide base of public engagement in wildlife conservation efforts.
• Leadership and Initiative:
  The celebrations were led by Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav, who highlighted India’s success in wildlife conservation under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
• Snow Leopard Census Findings:
  India’s first-ever Snow Leopard Census reported 718 individual snow leopardsacross the Indian Himalayan region.
  • Ladakh: 477 individuals
  • The remaining population distributed across Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir.
• Significance of the ‘#23for23’ Campaign:
  • Designed to symbolically link 23 minutes of activity with the 23 snow leopard range countries globally.
  • Promotes fitness and environmental consciousness together, aligning with India’s broader goals of citizen-led environmental action.
• Conservation Commitment:
  India reaffirmed its dedication to the objectives of the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Programme (GSLEP)— focusing on:
  • Science-based population monitoring
  • Habitat conservation in the high Himalayas
  • Community participation in protecting the species and its ecosystem
• International Context:
  The event aligns with global conservation efforts by the Snow Leopard Trust Worldwide and GSLEP partners, enhancing India’s image as a responsible biodiversity steward in the Himalayan region.

Static/Background Information

• International Snow Leopard Day:
  • Observed annually on October 23.
  • Established under the Bishkek Declaration (2013), signed by 12 range countries including India, China, Russia, and Mongolia.
  • Aims to protect the snow leopard (Panthera uncia) and its mountain habitat across Central and South Asia.
• Snow Leopard in India:
  • Found in the Himalayan states: Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.
  • Listed as “Vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List.
  • India’s dedicated project for the species — Project Snow Leopard (PSL) — was launched in 2009.
• Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Programme (GSLEP):
  • A transboundary initiative launched in 2013.
  • Aims to secure at least 20 snow leopard landscapes across range countries by ensuring sustainable ecosystems and community partnerships.
    
    Updated - 24 Oct 2025 ; 9:55 PM  | DD News