Context:
India observed International Snow Leopard Day (23 October 2025) with the nationwide ‘#23for23’ campaign. The government unveiled the first-ever National Snow Leopard Census, recording 718 individuals across the Indian Himalayas.
About the ‘23for23’ Initiative
- Launched by: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)
- Purpose:
- Raise awareness about snow leopard habitats and conservation challenges.
- Encourage citizen participation in protecting high-altitude ecosystems.
- Align with the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Programme (GSLEP).
- Mode: Nationwide awareness campaign with community-driven engagement.
About the Snow Leopard
- Scientific Name: Panthera uncia
- IUCN Status: Vulnerable
- Global Habitat: 12 countries including India, Nepal, China, Mongolia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan
- Found at 3,000–5,000 meters in cold, arid, rocky terrains
- Indian Habitat: High-altitude Himalayan states and UTs — Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh
