A recent Snow Leopard Population Assessment of India (SPAI) by the Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF) and Himachal Pradesh Forest Department reveals a 62.7% surge in the state’s snow leopard numbers since the first survey. Covering over 26,000 sq km of rugged terrain, researchers estimated 83 snow leopards, with Spiti Valley, Pin Valley, and Kinnaur showing the highest densities.
The study also highlighted a strong community participation—from Kibber’s women camera-trappers to herders aiding data collection—and the role of rising blue sheep and ibex populations in this recovery. However, growing threats from feral dogs, tourism waste, and large-scale solar projects remain concerning.
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Despite the concerns, this made my morning. Thank you.
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https://scroll.in/article/1076658/solar-power-project-in-spiti-threatens-to-disrupt-snow-leopard-habitat-local-life
this is also interesting. I wish that solar systems were installed on the roofs of the places that will USE the electricity - instead of power stations in ‘wasteland’ with transmission lines to people.
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The obvious choice for the government should be to offer incentives to local people for installing rooftop solar panels. For the government, the obvious is obscured by the corporate-government nexus. Instead of providing incentives to a large number of people, the government gives cheap land and labor to big corporations.
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There have been some instances over here (Finland) where housing co-ops have installed solar panels on the roofs of the apartment buildings they own. Oft they claim they get enough electricity durin Summertime from that to be able to sell the surplus to the grid. It’s by no means common, mind, but it’s been an interesting idea.
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