Abstract: In response to dwindling wildlife populations and habitat, governments established national parks and protected areas, often with little input from people living in the immediate area. In some cases communities were relocated, but in most they are left to pursue traditional agricultural and pastoral livelihoods under a new set of rules. Important questions of land tenure remained unresolved, with a “fences and fines” approach to protected area management (Stolton and Dudley 1999).

Abstract: Still, there are areas from where very poor information is available on snow leopard and associated species. Keeping this in view, Kargil and Drass areas of Ladakh,Jammu and Kashmir were identified as “gaps” in available information on snow leopard. Kargil has not received much attention for wildlife studies due to its proximity to the International Boundary between India and Pakistan and resultant security implications. The only information available from the area is from a study done by Sathyakumar (2003) on the occurrence of Himalayan brown bear from Zanskar and Suru Valleys in Ladakh. But there was very poor information on the occurrence and distribution of other carnivores and conflicts with humans in Kargil. Therefore, this study was felt necessary to establish the following objectives:
1. Surveys for the occurrence and distribution of snow leopard and other large
carnivores and their prey
2. To estimate abundance of prey species
3. To study food habits of snow leopard and other carnivores based on scat analysis
4. To study the of carnivore – human conflicts
5. To study the socio-economic conditions of rural community and develop local
awareness programme

Abstract: It described categories of threat (Category A and Category B). Snow leopard was assessed under Category A the species whose numbers and habitats have sharply diminished and are continuing to diminish as a consequence of direct persecution, destruction of their habitat or other causes. The snow leopard (Pardus uncia) inhabits the mountains of the Tien Shan range, Tarbagatai, Saur, Altai and the Sayans. Exploitation of mountain areas and depletion of stocks of wild ungulates (Siberian mountain goats and wild sheep) have led to a sharp reduction in the number of snow leopards. It is estimated that today only about one thousand leopards are left, and they have accordingly been placed under complete protection. Hunting and selective shooting are everywhere prohibited. Catching leopards is regulated by the articles of the international convention restricting trade in rare species of plants and animals.

Abstract: The National strategy and action plan of the Republic of Uzbekistan was signed on April 1, 1998. Snow leopard was included in the list of rare and endangered animal species and referred to category 2 a rare, not endangered species. It is distributed in highlands of the West Tien Shan and Pamiro-Alay. Its population is 30-50 animals. Snow leopard is protected in the Chatkal, Gissar nature reserve, and Ugam-Chatkal national park.