‘23for23’ Initiative
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: PIB
Context: India celebrated International Snow Leopard Day (October 23, 2025) with the nationwide ‘#23for23’ campaign.
• Government also unveiled the first-ever national Snow Leopard Census, recording 718 individuals across the Indian Himalayas.
About ‘23for23’ Initiative:
What it is?
• A nationwide awareness campaign launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to engage citizens in snow leopard conservation through community-driven participation.
• To raise awareness about snow leopard habitats and conservation challenges.
• To inspire public involvement in protecting India’s high-altitude ecosystems under the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Programme (GSLEP).
Key Findings of the Snow Leopard Census in India (2025):
• Total Count: The census recorded 718 individual snow leopards across India’s Himalayan landscape — marking the first official nationwide estimate.
• Regional Distribution: Ladakh: 477 individuals — the highest population in India. Himachal Pradesh: 51 individuals. Uttarakhand: 71 individuals. Arunachal Pradesh & Sikkim: 61 individuals combined. Jammu & Kashmir (excluding Ladakh): 58 individuals.
• Ladakh: 477 individuals — the highest population in India.
• Himachal Pradesh: 51 individuals.
• Uttarakhand: 71 individuals.
• Arunachal Pradesh & Sikkim: 61 individuals combined.
• Jammu & Kashmir (excluding Ladakh): 58 individuals.
• Collaborating Agencies: Led by MoEFCC, supported by WWF-India, Snow Leopard Trust, and local communities under the Project Snow Leopard
About Snow Leopard:
• What it is? A medium-sized big cat species native to the high-altitude mountain ranges of Central and South Asia, known for its elusive behavior and crucial ecological role as a keystone species in the Himalayan ecosystem.
• A medium-sized big cat species native to the high-altitude mountain ranges of Central and South Asia, known for its elusive behavior and crucial ecological role as a keystone species in the Himalayan ecosystem.
• Scientific Name: Panthera uncia
• IUCN Status: Vulnerable
• Habitat (Global): Found across 12 countries including India, Nepal, China, Mongolia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Kazakhstan, typically between 3,000–5,000 meters in elevation in cold, arid, and rocky terrains.
• Habitat (India): Distributed across the Himalayan states and UTs — Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh — covering major high-altitude ecosystems.
• Characteristics: Height: ~60 cm; Length: 100–130 cm; Weight: 35–55 kg. Smoky-grey fur with dark rosettes; excellent camouflage against rocky slopes. Solitary and crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk). Silent predator — unlike other big cats, snow leopards cannot roar. Breeds every two years, giving birth to 1–2 cubs, making population recovery slow. Known as the “Ghost of the Mountains” due to its stealth and rarity.
• Height: ~60 cm; Length: 100–130 cm; Weight: 35–55 kg.
• Smoky-grey fur with dark rosettes; excellent camouflage against rocky slopes.
• Solitary and crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk).
• Silent predator — unlike other big cats, snow leopards cannot roar.
• Breeds every two years, giving birth to 1–2 cubs, making population recovery slow.
• Known as the “Ghost of the Mountains” due to its stealth and rarity.