Sign In
Learn bits
Ecology & Environment
Mahesh

08/11/22 21:13 PM IST

Snow Leopard Population Assessment of India (SPAI)

In News 
  • The first-ever recording of the snow leopard from the Baltal-Zojila region has renewed the hope for the elusive predator in the higher altitudes of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India (SPAI)
  • It was launched on International Snow Leopard Day on 23rdOctober 2019.
  • It has evolved from international effort to develop a global protocol for PAWS under the aegis of GSELP.
  • Objective – To help the snow leopard double its population.
  • Under SPAI, a two-step process is undertaken to estimate the snow leopard population.
  • First step– An occupation-based assessment of snow leopard distribution, which involves identifying the area where the study will be conducted based on conducting preliminary surveys and using interview or sign-based methods.
  • Second step– Population sampling for regional density estimation by carrying out a thorough review of already sampled areas.
  • Online tools including a data-sharing portal, training app for identifying individual leopards through photographs and threat mapping tool would be utilized.
About the Snow leopard
  • The snow leopard (Panthera uncia) is a felidae (a family of mammals in the order Carnivora) in the genus Panthera.
  • It is native to the mountain ranges of Central and South Asia, ranging from eastern Afghanistan, the Himalayas and the Tibetan Plateau to southern Siberia, Mongolia and western China.
  • It is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
  • It is a good indicator species (whose presence, absence or abundance reflects a specific environmental condition) as it quickly reacts to habitat disturbances.
Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program (GSLEP)
  • The GSLEP is a world first joint initiative that aims to conserve the endangered snow leopard within the broader context of also conserving valuable high mountain ecosystems.
  • It unites all 12 range country governments, nongovernmental and inter-governmental organisations, local communities, and the private sector around this aim.
Source- The Hindu 

More Related Current Affairs View All

21 Sep

India Achieves Tier 1 Status in Global Cybersecurity Index 2024

' India has secured Tier 1 status in the Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) 2024, published by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).' The GCI is a comprehensive assessm

Read More

21 Sep

A new White Revolution

'Operation Flood, launched in 1970, ushered in the White Revolution and transformed the dairy sector in India.' Dairy cooperatives procured 660 lakh kg of milk per day in 2023-2

Read More

21 Sep

Changes in Canada’s international work permit system

'Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced changes to the country’s international work permit system, aiming to reduce the number of immigrant workers in Canada.'

Read More

India’s First Ai-Driven Magazine Generator

Generate Your Custom Current Affairs Magazine using our AI in just 3 steps