Human - Snow Leopard Conflict

The conflict between human and wildlife is more pronounced in recent years mainly due to habitat loss, habitat fragmentation, urbanization, expansion of human settlements and execution of developmental projects. However, the conflicting species of wildlife and its area of damage varies with the different ecological zones of Nepal. The conflict in Himalayan areas is associated with the Snow Leopard. Shey Phoksundo, the largest National Park of Nepal represents the Trans Himalayan ecosystem and in the same time harbors the highest density of Snow leopard in the world. Unfortunately, the Park experiences acute human-Snow Leopard conflict incurring a significant losses of livestock each year. Prey base reduction, livestock depredation and habitat shrinkage are identified as the major causes of conflict. Implementation of livestock insurance scheme and prey conservation programs along with the improvement in livestock husbandry practice is crucial to minimize the level of conflict. This book will particularly be important for park managers, policy makers, researchers and students dealing with Human-Snow Leopard conflict.