Across its global range, the snow leopard (Panthera uncia), an apex predator of the Himalayas and Central Asia and an indicator for ecosystem health in its habitat, is under threat because of widespread poaching; retaliatory killing by nomads whose livestock have been killed; and a rapidly declining natural prey base due to loss of its habitat. Conservation efforts are hampered by rugged terrain and uncoordinated efforts of various organizations among countries with contentious borders and different political ideologies.

Bhutan?s protected area and biological corridor network covers over 51% of the country, thus legally securing most of its snow leopard habitat. The focus should now be on community-level conservation initiatives to further strengthen protection of ecologically important landscapes, communities, and species.

During the first snow leopard survey in 2008, and the nation-wide snow leopard survey of 2016, it has been established that the Jigme Dorji National Park (JDNP) has the highest snow leopard population density and habitat in Bhutan. JDNP is the second largest national park in Bhutan with an area of 4316 km2. Within the park, the Soe, Yaksa and Lingzhi regions have the highest snow leopard and prey densities and present the best potential for securing a future for snow leopards. This is why we are focusing on this region, bringing local yak herding communities and residents on board to conserve snow leopards. We have seen that as benefits from snow leopard conservation come to local residents, they are likely to participate in its conservation. Their participation and ownership of any snow leopard conservation program is critical for its success.

The community-based snow leopard conservation project will be spearheaded by community groups from Soe, Lingzhi and Yaksa, the first two under Thimphu and the third one under Paro district administrations, respectively. The overall goal of the project is to enlist local participation and leadership in ensuring a secure future for snow leopards. This will be done by improving yak herders? living conditions and exploring economic opportunities for them. The next component will be to engage them in the education and awareness of conservation values and passing them on to the younger generation.

? Project Objectives:
? Promote alternative livelihood options to garner local support for snow leopard conservation in the area.
? Improve engagement of local institutions and community in snow leopard conservation through education and awareness programs on the need to conserve snow leopards and its impact on highland biodiversity.
? Establish baseline information on community perception of snow leopard and its conservation status in the Jomolhari Landscape (Soe, Yaksa and Lingzhi).
? Enhance know-how and human resource capacity of community groups in Soe, Yaksa, and Lingzhi communities through south-south learning from successful snow leopard conservation programs in the region.

? Expected Results:
? Overall Community based conservation program coordinating committee comprising representative for each community formed to oversee Snow leopard conservation program in the region.
? Total of at least 150 people including students of Soe, Yaksa, and Lingzhi under JDNP adequately educated on the need to conserve snow leopards and its habitat including awareness around poaching and illegal wildlife trade by end of the project.
? Appropriate technology introduced to improve the indoor air quality of the nomadic tents and therefore, reduce health risks in three communities by end of the project.
? At least three tourism products developed and promoted in each of the three communities by end of the project.
? Existing homestay owners are trained in food and beverage, housekeeping, waste management, and first aid by mid-2020.
? One livestock insurance scheme enhanced in existing communities to reduce negative sentiments of herders towards snow leopards, and to gain their support for its conservation.
? One new livestock insurance committee formed for Lingzhi community by end of the project.
? One knowledge sharing workshop organized amongst the three communities within the project area.