SECURE Himalaya project: Unique model to tie snow leopard tourism with habitat protection

Source: The post is based on the article “Unique model to tie snow leopard tourism with habitat protection” published in TOI on 18th October 2022.

What is the News?

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in association with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is implementing a unique model in Ladakh to conserve the habitats of Snow Leopards.

What is the unique model being implemented?

The unique model to conserve Snow Leopards is being implemented under the SECURE Himalaya project.

It involves local communities in Ladakh to not only protect the big cats but also provide alternative livelihood opportunities to the people in the region.

The model is linked to community-based tourism and promotion of traditional natural farming in scarce farmlands which can be replicated not only at other snow leopard habitats but also in tiger and elephant reserves with region-specific tweaks across the country to prevent incidents of human-wildlife conflicts.

This would eventually promote sustainable tourism and create new opportunities for local communities through protecting the overall ecology of the Himalayan region.

What is the SECURE Himalaya project?

The SECURE Himalaya project is a part of the “Global Partnership on Wildlife Conservation and Crime Prevention for Sustainable Development”(Global Wildlife Program) funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

Implemented by: the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India along with UNDP.

Aim: The project supports the government’s efforts for the conservation of snow leopard and its habitat by developing and implementing a landscape-based approach for Himalayan ecosystems, and addresses key issues of habitat degradation, threatened livelihoods and illegal trade in wildlife.