Kathmandu, April 26, 2025 – The second day of the International Snow Leopard Conference 2025 is underway in Kathmandu, bringing together experts, policymakers, and practitioners from snow leopard range countries. This landmark event aims to foster a whole-of-society approach to snow leopard conservation through multi-stakeholder engagement.
The conference officially commenced yesterday with inaugural ceremonies led by the Hon'ble Minister for Forests and Environment, Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri, and Dr. Rajendra Prasad Mishra, Secretary of the Ministry. The session was chaired by Dr. Naresh Subedi, Member-Secretary of the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC).
Day 1 Highlights
The opening day featured discussions on "Technology Empowerment in Snow Leopard Research and Conservation," highlighting innovative tools and techniques for effective monitoring. A keynote address by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) emphasized Nepal’s leadership in snow leopard conservation. Delegates from India, China, Pakistan, Russia, and Nepal presented individual case studies, showcasing their conservation efforts and challenges.
A pivotal part of the day was group discussions, where participants explored the limitations of current technologies and identified opportunities for adopting cutting-edge solutions, including artificial intelligence. The exchange underscored the importance of international collaboration to overcome barriers in monitoring and safeguarding snow leopard populations.
Focus of Day 2 and Beyond
The second day delves into strategies for building a whole-of-society approach, emphasizing multi-stakeholder participation. Over the next three days, participants will tackle themes such as technological innovations, collaborative frameworks, and integrating snow leopard conservation with broader socio-environmental goals.
Snow leopards, as transboundary species, symbolize the shared responsibility of range countries to preserve mountain ecosystems. Experts hope the conference will yield actionable strategies for joint research, sustainable development, and policy alignment.
The International Snow Leopard Conference 2025 marks a significant step in aligning global efforts toward mountain biodiversity conservation while addressing socio-economic imperatives.
Stay tuned Ecosphere News for further updates from this critical global gathering.
