‘#23for23’ Initiative

31.10.2025

1. ‘#23for23’ Initiative

Context      

On International Snow Leopard Day (23 October 2025), India launched the ‘#23for23’ campaign, a landmark initiative to strengthen snow leopard conservation and highlight India’s commitment to wildlife protection. The event also saw the release of the first National Snow Leopard Census, which recorded 718 individual snow leopards across the Indian Himalayan region, providing the country’s most comprehensive population estimate to date.

About the ‘#23for23’ Initiative

Implementation and Collaboration:
 The campaign was launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in partnership with the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program (GSLEP) and the Snow Leopard Trust Worldwide.

Citizen Participation:
 To symbolise both the 23rd of October and the 23 identified snow leopard habitats, citizens, students, soldiers, and institutions were encouraged to dedicate 23 minutes to physical activities such as walks, treks, and awareness events across Himalayan states.

Objective:
 The initiative aimed to raise awareness about snow leopard conservation, promote citizen engagement, and reaffirm India’s commitment to the GSLEP’s global goals of protecting mountain ecosystems and ensuring the species’ long-term survival.

Key Findings: National Snow Leopard Census (2025)

Highlights:

• India’s first scientific and countrywide population estimate, using camera traps, field surveys, and genetic sampling.
   
• Ladakh emerged as the largest habitat, housing nearly two-thirds of the national population.
   
• Provides a baseline for future monitoring and conservation planning.
   

About the Snow Leopard

• Scientific Name: Panthera uncia
   
• IUCN Status: Vulnerable
   
• Habitat Range: Found in high-altitude regions (3,000–5,000 m) across 12 countries including India, Nepal, Bhutan, and China.
   
• Indian Distribution: Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.
   
• Ecological Role: Acts as a keystone species, maintaining balance in fragile mountain ecosystems.
   
• Legal Protection: Listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and Appendix I of CITES, granting it the highest protection.
   
• Often called the “Ghost of the Mountains” due to its elusive nature and nocturnal habits.
   

Conclusion

The ‘#23for23’ campaign and the National Snow Leopard Census (2025) mark a significant step in India’s evolving conservation strategy. By combining science, citizen engagement, and international collaboration, India has set a model for high-altitude biodiversity protection. Safeguarding the “Ghost of the Mountains” is not just about preserving a species,  it represents a commitment to the ecological, cultural, and climatic resilience of the entire Himalayan ecosystem.