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Joslin, P. (1988). A Phototrapline for Cold Temperatures. In H.Freeman (Ed.), (pp. 121–128). India: International Snow Leopard Trust and WIldlife Institute of India.
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Chalise, M. K., & Shakya, P. R. (2002). EDITORIAL: Snow Leopard Investigation in Langtang. Nahson Bulletin, 12-13(2002-2003), 1.
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Farrington, J. (2005). A Report on Protected Areas, Biodiversity, and Conservation in the Kyrgyzstan Tian Shan with Brief Notes on the Kyrgyzstan Pamir-Alai and the Tian Shan Mountains of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and China. Ph.D. thesis, , Kyrgyzstan.
Abstract: Kyrgyzstan is a land of towering mountains, glaciers, rushing streams, wildflowercovered meadows, forests, snow leopards, soaring eagles, and yurt-dwelling nomads. The entire nation lies astride the Tian Shan1, Chinese for “Heavenly Mountains”, one of the world's highest mountain ranges, which is 7439 m (24,400 ft) in elevation at its highest point. The nation is the second smallest of the former Soviet Central Asian republics. In
spite of Kyrgyzstan's diverse wildlife and stunning natural beauty, the nation remains little known, and, as yet, still on the frontier of international conservation efforts. The following report is the product of 12 months of research into the state of conservation and land-use in Kyrgyzstan. This effort was funded by the Fulbright Commission of the U.S. State Department, and represents the most recent findings of the author's personal environmental journey through Inner Asia, which began in 1999. When I first started my preliminary research for this project, I was extremely surprised to learn that, even though the Tian Shan Range has tremendous ecological significance for conservation efforts in middle Asia, there wasn't a single major international conservation organization with an office in the former Soviet Central Asian republics. Even more surprising was how little awareness there is of conservation issues in the Tian Shan region amongst conservation workers in neighboring areas who are attempting to preserve similar species assemblages and ecosystems to those found in the Tian Shan. Given this lack of awareness, and the great potential for the international community to make a positive contribution towards improving the current state of biodiversity conservation in Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia, I have summarized my findings on protected areas and conservation in Kyrgyzstan and the Tian Shan of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Xinjiang in the chapters below. The report begins with some brief background information on geography and society in the Kyrgyz Republic, followed by an overview of biodiversity and the state of conservation in the nation, which at the present time closely parallels the state of conservation in the other former Soviet Central Asian republics. Part IV of the report provides a catalog of all major protected areas in Kyrgyzstan and the other Tian Shan nations, followed by a list of sites in Kyrgyzstan that are as yet unprotected but merit protection. In the appendices the reader will find fairly comprehensive species lists of flora and fauna found in the Kyrgyz Republic, including lists of mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, trees and shrubs, wildflowers, and endemic plants. In addition, a
draft paper on the history and current practice of pastoral nomadism in Kyrgyzstan has been included in Appendix A. While the research emphasis for this study was on eastern Kyrgyzstan, over the course of the study the author did have the opportunity to make brief journeys to southern Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Xinjiang. While falling short of being a definitive survey of protected areas of the Tian Shan, the informational review which
follows is the first attempt at bringing the details of conservation efforts throughout the entire Tian Shan Range together in one place. It is hoped that this summary of biodiversity and conservation in the Tian Shan will generate interest in the region amongst conservationists, and help increase efforts to protect this surprisingly unknown range that forms an island of meadows, rivers, lakes, and forests in the arid heart of Asia.
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Ahmad, A. (1997). Community-Based Natural Resources Management in Northern Pakistan. In R.Jackson and A.Ahmad (Ed.), (pp. 148–154). Lahore, Pakistan: Islt.
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Green, M. J. B., & Zhimbiev, B. (1997). Transboundary Protected Areas and Snow Leopard Conservation. In R.Jackson and A.Ahmad (Ed.), (pp. 194–202). Lahore, Pakistan: Islt.
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Jackson, R., & Ahmad, A. (1997). Introduction to the Proceedings (8th Snow Leopard Symp). In R.Jackson, & A.Ahmad (Eds.), (ix-x). Lahore, Pakistan: Allied Press.
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Jackson, R., Hunter, D., & Emmerich, C. (1997). SLIMS: An Information Management System for Promoting the Conservation of Snow Leopards and Biodiversity in the Mountains of Central Asia. In R.Jackson, & A.Ahmad (Eds.), (pp. 75–91). Lahore, Pakistan: Islt.
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Sukhbat, K., & Munkhtsog, B. (1997). Density and Distribution of Ibex and Argali Sheep in Mongolia. In R.Jackson, & A.Ahmad (Eds.), (pp. 121–123). Lahore, Pakistan: Islt.
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Chalise, M. K. (2008). Nepalka Samrakshit Banyajantu (Nepal's Protected Wildlife in Nepali language). Lalitpur, Kathmandu: Shajha Prakashan.
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The Snow Leopard Conservancy. (2002). A Learning Tour of the CBN (Corbett, Nainital and Binsar) Eco-tourism Initiative Sites by Villagers from Hemis National Park and the Surrounding Area (18-28th November 2002) (R. Wangchuk, & J. Dadul, Eds.) (Vol. SLC Field Document Series No 5). Leh, Ladakh, India.
Abstract: Ladakh lies between the Great Himalayas and the formidable Karakoram mountains.
Its unique landscape and rich cultural heritage have been a great attraction to tourists all over
the world. Apart from its uniqueness it has a rich Trans-Himalayan bio-diversity and is home
to the rare and elusive snow leopard. It opened to tourism in 1974 with a handful of tourists
and has gone up to the present number of about 18,000 visitors annually. Ecotourism started in Ladakh in mid 80s in the form of conservation of traditional
architecture when local communities realized the importance of their rich culture and
traditions being valued by the visiting tourists. However, while tourism became a major
source of income to people in Leh, most of the benefits stayed with outside (Delhi) based
travel agents thus leaving out the rural masses. During the last three years Snow Leopard Conservancy and The Mountain Institute have been
initiating ecotourism activities with local communities in the Hemis National Park as an
alternate livelihood and an indirect way to compensate losses of livestock from predatory
animals. However, local people while venturing into such new initiatives have tended to be
like blind men that are being led by NGO's so that they do not stumble along their paths.
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The Snow Leopard Conservancy. (2001). Visitor Attitude and Market Survey for Planning Community-based Tourism Initiatives in Rural Ladakh (Vol. SLC Field Series Document No. 2.). Los Gatos, California.
Abstract: Bounded by two of the world's highest mountain ranges, the Great Himalaya and the Karakoram, Ladakh is a land of exhilarating mountain landscapes, rocky gorges and a unique cultural heritage. It is also home to distinctive wildlife such as the snow leopard, blue sheep and Tibetan wild ass, all living in a unique high altitude desert ecosystem. Not surprisingly, Ladakh is becoming a sought after tourist destination for international and domestic visitors alike. Over the past two decades tourism has grown substantially, although erratically, with both positive and less positive results for Ladakh's environment and people. People are recognizing that it is important to act now and engage in an informed dialogue in order to conserve the natural and cultural resources on which the future of tourism and related incomes depend. The Snow Leopard Conservancy (SLC) is working in collaboration with local communities and nongovernmental organizations to foster co-existence between people and predators like the endangered snow leopard by reducing livestock depredation losses and improving household incomes in environmentally friendly, socially responsible and economically viable ways. Well-balanced tourism is one income generating option.
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The Snow Leopard Conservancy. (2002). A Survey of Kathmandu-based Trekking Agencies: Market Opportunities for Linking Community-Based Ecotourism with the Conservation of Snow Leopard in the Annapurna Conservation Area. Report prepared for WWF-Nepal Programme (Vol. SLC Field Series Document No. 4). Los Gatos, California.
Abstract: In 2001 the King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation (KMTNC), Annapurna Conservation Area (ACAP), Snow Leopard Conservancy (SLC) and WWF-Nepal initiated a collaborative project aimed at enhancing ecotourism in the Manang area, in ways that strengthen benefits to local communities while also protecting the environment and the local culture. Manang is known for its relatively dense snow leopard population, along with supporting good numbers of blue sheep, the endangered cat's principal prey through much of the Himalaya. However, snow leopards periodically kill many livestock, leading to retributive killing by herders along with other associated people-wildlife conflict. In order to encourage the local people to better co-exist with snow leopards and other wildlife, SLC, WWF-Nepal and ACAP agreed to explore ways of providing tourism benefits to local communities as an incentive to protect this rare predator and conserve its alpine habitat. Key in this regard is the possibility of developing locally guided nature treks, and accordingly, this survey was conducted in order to assess existing market opportunities and constraints to such ecotourism enterprise.
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Bannikov, A. (1954). Mammals of the Mongolian People's Republic. Moscow: Academy of Sciences.
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Guggisberg, C. A. W. (1975). Snow Leopard, Ounce.. New York: Taplinger Publication Co. Inc.
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Suryawanshi, K. R., Bhatnagar, Y., & Mishra, C. (2009). Why should a grazer browse? Livestock impact on winter resource use by bharal Pseudois nayaur
. Oecologia, , 1–10.
Abstract: Many mammalian herbivores show a temporal diet variation between graminoid-dominated and browse dominated diets. We determined the causes of such a diet shift and its implications for conservation of a medium sized ungulate-the bharal Pseudois nayaur. Past studies show that the bharal diet is dominated by graminoids (>80%) during summer, but the contribution of graminoids declines to about 50% in winter. We tested the predictions generated by two alternative hypotheses explaining the decline: low graminoid availability during winter causes bharal to include browse in their diet; bharal include browse, with relatively higher nutritional quality, in their diet to compensate for the poor quality of graminoids during winter. We measured winter graminoid availability in areas with no livestock grazing, areas with relatively moderate livestock grazing, and those with intense livestock grazing pressures. The chemical composition of plants contributing to the bharal diet was analysed. The bharal diet was quantiWed through signs of feeding on vegetation at feeding locations. Population structures of bharal populations were recorded using a total count method. Graminoid availability was highest in areas without livestock grazing, followed by areas with moderate and intense livestock grazing. The bharal diet was dominated by graminoids (73%) in areas with highest graminoid availability. Graminoid contribution to the bharal diet declined monotonically (50, 36%) with a decline in graminoid availability. Bharal young to female ratio was 3 times higher in areas with high graminoid availability than areas with low graminoid availability. The composition of the bharal winter diet was governed predominantly by the availability of graminoids in the rangelands. Our results suggest that bharal include more browse in their diet during winter due to competition from livestock for graminoids. Since livestock grazing reduces graminoid availability, creation of livestock-free areas is necessary for the conservation of grazing species such as the bharal and its predators including the endangered snow leopard in the Trans-Himalaya.
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Khan, A. A. (2001). Strategic plan for the conservation of the snow leopard in Pakistan. Pakistan: WWF Pakistan & International Snow Leopard Trust.
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Usgs, & International Snow Leopard Trust. (1995). Snow Leopard Habitat Map. Pakistan: ISLT and World Wide Fund for Nature - Pakistan.
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Allen, P., & Macray, D. (2002). Snow Leopard Enterprises Description and Summarized Business Plan.. Seattle: Islt.
Abstract: The habitat for both humans and snow leopards in Central Asia is marginal, the ecosystem fragile. The struggle for humans to survive has often, unfortunately, brought them into conflict with the region's dwindling snow leopard populations. Herders commonly see leopards as a threat to their way of life and well-being. Efforts to improve the living conditions of humans must consider potential impacts on the environment. Likewise, conservation initiatives cannot ignore humans as elements of the landscape with a right to live with dignity and pride. Based on these principles, the International Snow Leopard Trust has developed a new conservation model that addresses the needs of all concerned.
We call it Snow Leopard Enterprises..
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Jackson, R. (1995). Third Slims Workshop held in Mongolia (Vol. xiii). Seattle: Islt.
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Zahler, P., & Graham, P. (2001). War and wildlife: the Afghanistan conflict and its effects on the environment. Seattle: International Snow Leopard Trust.
Abstract: The International Snow Leopard Trust (ISLT) is a nonprofit environmental organization dedicated to the conservation of the endangered snow leopard and its mountain ecosystem through a balanced approach that considers the needs of the local people and the environment. As such, we wish to stress that the ISLT does not have a position regarding the present conflict in Afghanistan. However, this organization believes that there are important repercussions regarding this conflict that have yet to be addressed in the media, within government circles, or among the public. This report documents some of these repercussions so that they may be included in the present dialog.
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Jackson, R. (1994). Second SLIMS Workshop Held (Vol. xii). Seattle, WA: Islt.
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International Snow Leopard Trust. (2001). Snow Leopard News Fall 2001. Seattle, WA: Islt.
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International Snow Leopard Trust. (2002). Snow Leopard News, Spring 2002. Seattle, Washington: Islt.
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Jackson, R., Roe, J., Wangchuk, R., & Hunter, D. (2005). Surveying Snow Leopard Populations with Emphasis on Camera Trapping: A Handbook. Sonoma, California: The Snow Leopard Conservancy.
Abstract: This handbook provides an introduction to snow leopard population survey techniques, followed by a detailed account of camera trapping methods.During the 2002 through 2004 winter field seasons, the Snow Leopard Conservancy experimented with infrared camera trapping techniques to define a methodology suitable for the high altitude environment.
In 2001 and 2002, much of our time was spent familiarizing ourselves with various infrared camera traps, their operation and setup, and comparing the effectiveness of different models and sensor types. We placed infrared camera traps along frequently used travel corridors at or near scent-sprayed rocks (rock scents) and scrape sites within 16 km2 sampling cells between January and March in 2003 and 2004. A total of 66 and 49 captures of snow leopards were tallied during 2003 and 2004, resulting in an overall capture success of 8.91 and 5.63 individuals per 100 trap-nights, respectively. Capture probabilities ranged from 0.33 to 0.46. Density estimates ranged from 8.49 ± 0.22 individuals per 100 km2 in 2003 to 4.45 ± 0.16 in 2004, with the disparity between years largely attributed to different trapping densities. Snow leopard abundance estimates were calculated using the computer program CAPTURE.
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Jackson, R., Roe, J., Wangchuk, R., & Hunter, D. (2005). Surveying Snow Leopard Populations with Emphasis on Camera Trapping: A Handbook. Sonoma, California: The Snow Leopard Conservancy.
Abstract: This handbook provides an introduction to snow leopard population survey techniques, followed by a detailed account of camera trapping methods.During the 2002 through 2004 winter field seasons, the Snow Leopard Conservancy experimented with infrared camera trapping techniques to define a methodology suitable for the high altitude environment.
In 2001 and 2002, much of our time was spent familiarizing ourselves with various infrared camera traps, their operation and setup, and comparing the effectiveness of different models and sensor types. We placed infrared camera traps along frequently used travel corridors at or near scent-sprayed rocks (rock scents) and scrape sites within 16 km2 sampling cells between January and March in 2003 and 2004. A total of 66 and 49 captures of snow leopards were tallied during 2003 and 2004, resulting in an overall capture success of 8.91 and 5.63 individuals per 100 trap-nights, respectively. Capture probabilities ranged from 0.33 to 0.46. Density estimates ranged from 8.49 ± 0.22 individuals per 100 km2 in 2003 to 4.45 ± 0.16 in 2004, with the disparity between years largely attributed to different trapping densities. Snow leopard abundance estimates were calculated using the computer program CAPTURE.
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