Have you ever seen a “Grey Ghost”?
No, don’t get afraid or confused. We know what we are talking about.
We are talking about “Snow Leopard”, which is a large predator cat which resides in Central and South Asia, including India. It is a threatened species and there are less than 10,000 individuals out in the wild.
There are chances that you might not have seen a snow leopard out in the wild as they are very hard to spot and see. But there is something for your rescue.
Global Environment facility along with Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) form a part of Secure Himalaya Project. Alongside UNDP India, they have developed India’s first ever Virtual Reality Experience (VR) of Snow Leopards.
This move will bring an increased awareness and conservation in the Himalayan region and rest of India. By 2040, the global population of snow leopards is set to be reduced by 10%, so a move to increase conservation awareness and efforts would go a long way to ensure their survival.
Some of the key components of “Secure Himalaya” project are:
- Securing sustainable community livelihoods and natural resource management in high range Himalayan ecosystems
- Knowledge, advocacy, communication and information systems established
- Enhancing enforcement, monitoring and cooperation to reduce wildlife crime and related threats
- Conservation of key biodiversity areas and their effective management to secure long-term ecosystem resilience, habitat connectivity and conservation of snow leopard and other endangered species and their habitats
So what are your thoughts on this “new age” awareness and conservation efforts by Secure Himalaya Project? Does this intrigue you? Let us know down in the comments!
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