Laiba Abbas Khan
- @Laiba
- | She/her
Why Conserve Snow Leopards?
Snow leopards are keystone species: they regulate prey populations and act as indicators of healthy, biodiverse ecosystems. Their high-altitude habitat overlaps with vital water catchments that supply rivers sustaining millions of people downstream. Conserving snow leopards therefore also means conserving water security, food systems, and local livelihoods. Beyond ecology, these cats hold cultural and national significance, attracting ecotourism that supports mountain communities. Community-based conservation initiatives, if strengthened, can provide locals with alternative livelihoods while reducing dependence on livestock—the root of much conflict with snow leopards.
Threats to Snow Leopards in Pakistan
- Human–wildlife conflict: Declining wild prey populations force snow leopards to target livestock, a critical livelihood source for local communities. This often leads to retaliatory killings through poisoning or shooting.
- Climate change: Rising temperatures are altering mountain habitats, shifting vegetation and prey distribution, while increasing the frequency of extreme weather events.
- Poaching: Despite Pakistan being a signatory to CITES, snow leopards are still hunted for their pelts and body parts, highlighting weak enforcement in remote regions.
- Lack of awareness and capacity: Conservation efforts exist but remain limited by insufficient mechanisms to address human–wildlife conflict and enforce protection on the ground.
What is eDNA?
Environmental DNA (eDNA) refers to genetic material shed by organisms through skin, hair, saliva, urine, feces, or other cells. These microscopic traces accumulate in soil, snow, water, or even air. By collecting and analyzing such samples, scientists can detect the presence of species without needing to see, capture, or disturb them. In essence, eDNA works like nature’s fingerprinting tool—revealing which species live in an environment based solely on the traces they leave behind.
How eDNA Can Support Snow Leopard Conservation
1. Collecting samples: Water, soil, or snow can be sampled from valleys where snow leopards are suspected (e.g., Gilgit-Baltistan, Chitral, Khunjerab).
2. Detecting presence: Lab analysis can confirm if snow leopard DNA is present, proving the species recently passed through.
3. Mapping hotspots: Repeated sampling across landscapes allows researchers to map snow leopard strongholds—prime habitats that are critical for survival.
4. Conservation planning: With hotspots identified, these areas can be prioritized for protection, human activities can be regulated, and resources like anti-poaching patrols or community conservation programs can be strategically directed.
From Data to Action
- eDNA findings could empower WWF-Pakistan, government agencies, and NGOs to petition for the creation or expansion of protected conservancies.
- Rather than excluding local communities, governments could employ them as rangers, guards, eco-tourism guides, and caretakers, creating sustainable livelihoods.
- This approach reduces poverty, strengthens local stewardship, and transforms snow leopards into a source of pride and income rather than conflict.
- By protecting hotspots and restoring prey populations, human–wildlife conflict can be minimized, creating a balance where both snow leopards and communities thrive.
In short: Conservation + livelihoods = win–win.
Conclusion
Protecting snow leopards in Pakistan is about more than saving a single species—it is about safeguarding entire mountain ecosystems, the water towers that provide life to millions downstream. While tools like collar tracking have generated important insights, they are costly and limited. eDNA presents a groundbreaking alternative: non-invasive, cost-effective, and scalable. By integrating eDNA research with community engagement and strong government support, data can be transformed into real protection—designating sanctuaries, reducing conflict, and restoring prey populations. With such innovative approaches, Pakistan can set a global example in conservation, ensuring that the ghost of the mountains continues to roam free for generations to come.
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