Snow leopards are uniquely adapted to survive in some of the most extreme environments on Earth. As apex predators, they serve as vital indicators of the health of high-altitude ecosystems and are increasingly recognised as a measure of how climate change is affecting mountain landscapes. When snow leopards flourish, entire ecosystems benefit, safeguarding not only diverse species but also the planet’s greatest freshwater reserves. Now, the revelation that snow leopards are breeding in the upper reaches of Kishtwar has brought a rare moment of encouragement for wildlife conservation in Jammu and Kashmir. The recent finding emerged from a three-year camera-trapping study conducted in high-altitude areas, confirming for the first time that the region sustains a stable, reproducing population of the elusive big cat. Often called the “ghost of the mountains,” the snow leopard has long been a creature of myth and whispers in the Himalayas, its presence inferred from the accounts of herders and hunters rather than direct observation. This study, however, provided consistent photographic evidence across seasons, including the landmark sighting of a mother with cubs. The study, carried out in Kishtwar High Altitude National Park, Paddar, and Zojila, yielded over three thousand camera-trap nights of data. Images of at least a dozen adults, with a possible population of up to twenty, were recorded. Other rare species such as the Himalayan brown bear and the Asiatic ibex were also documented. One of the most intriguing findings was the appearance of both snow leopards and common leopards within the same landscapes, suggesting that shifts in climate may be forcing lower-altitude predators upward. This overlap underscores the ecological pressures reshaping fragile mountain ecosystems. Conserving snow leopards, as researchers noted, means protecting the broader health of these landscapes, which are crucial reservoirs of biodiversity and water. For local communities, however, coexistence is fraught with challenges. Herders in valleys like Paddar and Warwan continue to report livestock losses, with even a single sheep or goat proving critical for household incomes. Such incidents fuel resentment, leaving families torn between acknowledging the snow leopard’s rightful place in the mountains and grappling with the hardships its presence can bring. Efforts to bridge this divide have included awareness programmes with students, teachers, and frontline staff, as well as conflict-response training and demonstrations of conservation equipment. These initiatives aim to reduce friction and build a shared understanding that the survival of the snow leopard is tied to the well-being of the landscape itself. Globally, fewer than 7000 snow leopards remain, and India’s population is estimated at between five and 700, distributed across several Himalayan states. The confirmation of breeding in Jammu and Kashmir is both a milestone and a warning. Their continued survival depends on the resilience of high-altitude ecosystems increasingly threatened by rising temperatures, infrastructure projects, and expanding human activity. As researchers pointed out, protecting the snow leopard is not only about scientific monitoring but also about listening to the voices of mountain communities whose lives intersect daily with the animal’s fate.
Mountain Ghost
