The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) launched the second phase of Project Snow Leopard, called SPAI 2.0 (Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India 2.0), during Wildlife Week 2025 to strengthen scientific monitoring and conservation of snow leopards and their habitats.

Project Snow Leopard Phase-II (SPAI 2.0)

• Builds upon India’s first nationwide Snow Leopard assessment and focuses on long-term monitoring and habitat conservation.
• Conservation Status: The Snow Leopard is classified as ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List, listed in Appendix I of CITES, placed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (Schedule I under the amended Act, 2022), and included in Appendix I of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS).

Major Components

• Second nationwide Snow Leopard Population Estimation.
• Scientific monitoring using camera traps, genetic tools and occupancy surveys.
• Habitat connectivity and landscape conservation.
• Human–wildlife conflict mitigation.
• Community-based conservation involving local pastoral communities.
• Climate change vulnerability and impact assessment.
• Strengthening institutional coordination among Himalayan States/UTs.

About Project Snow Leopard (PSL)

• Launched in 2009 by the Ministry of Environment & Forests (now MoEFCC).
• India’s flagship conservation programme for Snow Leopards and high-altitude Himalayan ecosystems.
• Follows a landscape-based conservation approach, integrating biodiversity conservation with sustainable livelihoods of local communities.
• Recognizes the Snow Leopard as the flagship species of the Himalayan ecosystem.

India’s First Snow Leopard Assessment (SPAI-I) 

• Released in 2024, it was India’s first nationwide scientific assessment, estimating 718 Snow Leopards, with Ladakh recording the highest population (477 individuals).
• Conducted by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, in collaboration with all snow leopard range States/UTs, the assessment covered over 70% of India’s potential snow leopard habitat.

Under the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Programme (GSLEP), India has identified three priority Snow Leopard landscapes: Hemis–Spiti (Ladakh–Himachal Pradesh), Nanda Devi–Gangotri (Uttarakhand) and Khangchendzonga–Tawang (Sikkim–Arunachal Pradesh).

Project Snow Leopard Phase-II (SPAI 2.0) reinforces India’s commitment to conserving the fragile Himalayan ecosystem through science-based monitoring, habitat connectivity and community participation.