Abstract: Evidence of snow leopard presence was most abundant in C Ladakh, decreased southward toward the crest of the Himalaya, and was least on the S side of the main Himalaya. Prey populations, primarily blue sheep Pseudois nayaur and Asiatic ibex Capra ibex, were also more plentiful in the areas surveyed to the N of the main Himalaya. Perhaps 400 snow leopard occur throughout NW India. The stronghold of this species in India is apparently the trans- Himalayan ranges in Ladakh where new parks and reserves are being established, some in association with a snow leopard recovery programme of the state of Jammu and Kashmir and a 'Project Snow Leopard' of the central Indian government. Because of the generally low density of snow leopard, conservation measures must also be considered within the large areas of its range lying outside parks and reserves. -from Authors

Abstract: Trans Himalayas experience extremes of cold and arid climatic conditions which account for their lower productivity. The wild animals occur in lower densities and need relatively large areas to maintain viable populations. Though these animals are fully adapted to these environmental conditions, increasing human pressure poses a great threat to their survival.
Trans Himalayas are intrinsically a fragile ecosystem and their overuse has pushed them close to ravage in many localities. Higher Himalayas are progressively threatened by the increasing developmental activities such as opening up by new roads and and increasing number of satellite townships.
This region has long remained unstudied by conservationists. The paucity of information on this region is very well recognised by the managers and conservationists in the country as well as the world over. For better management and conservation of wildlife in the region, it is of paramount importance to have atleast the basic information on the status, distribution of flora and fauna, and other environmental and socio-economic aspects.