Context: Sadyr Zhaparov, the president of Kyrgyzstan signed a decree to declare the snow leopard as the national symbol of Kyrgyzstan.

About Snow Leopard:

• Scientific Name: Panthera uncia
• Indicator Species: Snow leopards serve as crucial indicators of the mountain ecosystem's health due to their role as the top predator in the food web.
• Habitat: Found in the mountains of central Asia and the Indian subcontinent, their habitat spans elevations from approximately 1,800 meters (6,000 feet) in winter to about 5,500 meters (18,000 feet) in summer.
• Geographical Range: The snow leopard's range covers twelve countries, including Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
• Geographical Range in India:
• • Western Himalayas: Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh.
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  • Eastern Himalayas: Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.
  • Hemis National Park (Ladakh): Recognized for its significant snow leopard population, Hemis National Park is also known as the Snow Leopard Capital of the world.
  • IUCN status: vulnerable

Global Conservation Initiatives for Snow Leopards:

• Project Snow Leopard (PSL): Initiated in 2009, PSL aims to foster an inclusive and participatory approach to safeguarding snow leopards and their habitats.
• Ministry of Environment Forest & Climate Change Recovery Program: Snow leopards are included in the list of 21 critically endangered species designated for the recovery program led by the Ministry of Environment Forest & Climate Change.
• SECURE Himalaya:Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), SECURE Himalaya focuses on conserving high-altitude biodiversity and reducing the reliance of local communities on the natural ecosystem.
• Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection (GSLEP) Programme: India has been actively participating in the GSLEP Programme since 2013, emphasizing global collaboration for snow leopard conservation.
• Flagship Species Designation:The Government of India has recognized the snow leopard as a flagship species for the high-altitude Himalayas, indicating its significance in conservation efforts.

About Kyrgyzstan

• Kyrgyzstan is a landlocked country in Central Asia.
• Bordered by Kazakhstan to the north, Uzbekistan to the west, Tajikistan to the south, and China to the east and southeast.