Abstract: It provides general information about the Besh Aral nature reserve (Kyrgyzstan), its physico-geographical characteristic, and description of flora and fauna. The predatory mammals are represented by 12 species. The rare predators are brown bear, snow leopard, lynx, and manul. Snow leopard inhabits the highlands of Chatkal depression and the upper-river Kara-Toko. In the past, snow leopards were seen more often.

Abstract: The Trans-Himalaya is a vast biogeographic region in the cold and arid rain-shadow of
the Greater Himalaya and is spread over three Indian states. From the conservation
standpoint this region has several unique characteristics. Unlike most other
biogeographic regions of the country, it has wildlife, including large mammals, spread
over the entire region. Another feature is that the harsh climate and topography
provides limited agricultural land and pastures, all of which are currently utilized by
people. The harsh environment has given rise to a specialized assemblage of flora and fauna in
the region that include the endangered snow leopard, a variety of wild sheep and goat,
Tibetan antelope, Tibetan gazelle, kiang and wild yak. The snow leopard is one of the
most charismatic species of the Trans-Himalaya. This apex predator, with a wide
distribution, has ecological importance and international appeal, and is eminently
suitable to be used as both a 'flagship' and an 'umbrella species' to anchor and guide
conservation efforts in the Trans-Himalayan region. Among the 10 Biogeographic Zones in the country, the Trans-Himalaya has a
comparatively large Protected Area (PA) coverage, with over 15,000 km2 (8.2 %) of
the geographical area under the network. In spite of this, the bulk of the large mammal
populations still exist outside the PAs, which include highly endangered species such
as snow leopard, chiru, wild yak, Ladakh urial, kiang and brown bear. Given the sparse resource availability in the Trans-Himalaya and the existing human
use patterns, there are few alternatives that can be provided to resource dependent
human communities in and around PAs. The existing PAs themselves pose formidable
conservation challenges and a further increase in their extent is impractical. The
problem is further compounded by the fact that some of the large PAs have unclear
boundaries and include vast stretches that do not have any direct wildlife values. These
issues call for an alternative strategy for conservation of the Trans-Himalayan tracts
based on a regional perspective, which includes reconciling conservation with
development. In this paper we stress that conservation issues of this region, such as competition for
forage between wild and domestic herbivores and human-wildlife conflicts need to be
addressed in a participatory manner. We suggest an alternative scheme to look at the
zonation of existing PAs and also the Trans-Himalayan region as a whole, to facilitate
better conservation in the region. Also, we emphasize that there is a vital need for
additional resources and a formal setup for regional planning and management under a
centrally sponsored scheme such as the 'Project Snow Leopard'.

Abstract: A description of the Kyzylsu, Miraki, and Markakol nature reserves is given and includes as follows: data of establishment, location, physic and geographic description, types of soils, climate, vegetation, altitude zones, and fauna. In the Kyzylsu nature reserve there are 28 mammal species; in Miraki 23, and in Mirkakol 39. Snow leopard can be found in all the three nature reserves.

Abstract: Temperature variations are expected to influence altitudinal movements of mountain herbivores and, in
turn, those of their predators, but relevant information is scarce. We evaluated monthly relationships
between temperature and altitude used by a large mountain-dwelling herbivore, the Himalayan tahr
Hemitragus jemlahicus, and its main predator, the snow leopard Panthera uncia, in an area of central
Himalaya for five consecutive years (2006–2010). In contrast to expectations, there was no significant
direct relationship between altitude of tahr sightings and temperature. The mean altitude of tahr sightings
decreased by c. 200 m throughout our study. As expected, snow leopard movements tracked those of tahr,
although the core area of the snow leopard did not move downwards. Tahr remained the staple of the
snow leopard diet: we suggest that the former did not move upwards in reaction to higher temperature
to avoid encounters with the latter. Avoidance of competition with the larger common leopard Panthera
pardus at lower altitudes could explain why snow leopards did not shift their core area downwards.
Apparently, interspecific interactions (predation; competition) influenced movements of Himalayan tahr
and snow leopards more than climatic variations.

Abstract: Reliable estimates of how human activities may affect wildlife populations are critical for making
scientifically sound resource management decisions. A significant issue in estimating the consequences
of management, development, or conservation measures is the need to account for a
variety of biotic and abiotic factors, such as land use and climate change, that interact over time
altering wildlife habitats and populations. The snow leopard Panthera uncia (Schreber, 1775), as a
vulnerable species, is extremely sensitive to indirect impacts of climate change. Given that it is
highly difficult undertaking conservation measures on the entire range of snow leopards, identifying
hotspots for conservation is necessary. This study was conducted in Bagrot and Haramosh
valleys, in the Trans-Himalayan region, to evaluate the impacts of climate and human pressure on
snow leopard habitat. Hybrid classification of Landsat satellite data for 2010 and 2020 was
performed to elucidate land use changes that suggested a decrease in permanent snow by 10 %
and 3 % in Haramosh and Bagrot while an increase in settlements cover by 16 % and 23 %,
respectively. Life zone comparison for 2010 and 2020 using the Holdridge life zone (HLZ) classification
system disclosed a change from three life zones to five life zones in Haramosh, and four
life zones to five life zones in Bagrot, caused by a temperature increase of 2◦C to 3◦C, indicating
that the area is becoming more and more suitable for settlements and less favorable for snow
leopards. This study underlines again that mountainous regions are more vulnerable to the impacts
of climate change. Warming weather is making survival more difficult for snow leopards.
Although they are resilient to the direct effects of climate change, indirect impacts like avalanches,
flash floods, urbanization, and human-wildlife conflict make them more vulnerable and
threaten their survival. Thus, we recommend establishing further protected areas, better controlling
illegal wildlife trade, and conducting genetic studies to understand impacts on snow
leopards and rangeland management, livelihood improvement, and human-wildlife conflict
reductions.