Mystical guardians of the Himalayas: The enigmatic snow leopards | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Mystical guardians of the Himalayas: The enigmatic snow leopards

Snow leopards are not merely majestic beings; their presence prevents herbivores from overgrazing, allowing vegetation to flourish and ensuring the health of the entire ecosystem
Mystical guardians of the Himalayas: The enigmatic snow leopards

Earth

Muntasir Akash
10 August, 2023, 03:10 pm
Last modified: 10 August, 2023, 03:34 pm

Related News

  • After Everest and Annapurna I, Bangladeshi mountaineer Babar Ali plans to summit all 8,000-meter peaks
  • Man arrested for brutally killing endangered fishing cat with spear in Chuadanga
  • Over 40 missing after avalanche in Indian Himalayas: Rescuers
  • 44 wild animals rescued from resorts, shop in Gazipur
  • Two kittens of endangered leopard cats rescued, trafficker arrested

Mystical guardians of the Himalayas: The enigmatic snow leopards

Snow leopards are not merely majestic beings; their presence prevents herbivores from overgrazing, allowing vegetation to flourish and ensuring the health of the entire ecosystem

Muntasir Akash
10 August, 2023, 03:10 pm
Last modified: 10 August, 2023, 03:34 pm

In the rugged and remote landscapes of the Himalayas, a ghostly presence roams silently, leaving behind elusive tracks and an aura of mystery.

The snow leopard, an apex predator of the high mountains, is a creature of fascination, embodying the raw beauty and harsh realities of its habitat. As we delve into the world of these enigmatic big cats, we uncover their role in the delicate balance of their ecosystem and the challenges they face for survival.

The snow leopard is the apex predator in the Himalayas. Photo: COLLECTED
The snow leopard is the apex predator in the Himalayas. Photo: COLLECTED

A glimpse of elegance

The snow leopard (Panthera uncia) is a creature of unmatched elegance, its thick fur adorned with a mesmerising pattern of rosettes, providing the perfect camouflage against the snowy terrain. With their long, powerful tails and sturdy bodies, these cats are built for survival in some of the most challenging environments on Earth.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

Guardians of the high mountains

Snow leopards are not merely majestic beings; they play a vital role in maintaining the ecological equilibrium of their habitat. As top predators, they help control the populations of their prey species, such as Himalayan blue sheep and ibex. Their presence prevents herbivores from overgrazing, allowing vegetation to flourish and ensuring the health of the entire ecosystem.

A silent struggle
However, the snow leopards' existence is far from idyllic. Their populations are under threat due to a range of human-related factors, including poaching, habitat loss, and retaliatory killings by herders protecting their livestock. The demand for snow leopard pelts and body parts in the illegal wildlife trade further exacerbates their vulnerability. With an estimated 4,000 to 6,500 individuals remaining in the wild, their status as a vulnerable species is a stark reminder of the urgent need for conservation efforts.

Guardians of culture

In the regions where snow leopards roam, they are more than mere wildlife; they are an integral part of the local culture and spirituality. Many indigenous communities view these elusive cats as guardians of the mountains, embodying the spiritual connection between nature and humanity. Their presence is a testament to the intrinsic link between wildlife and the rich cultural tapestry of these areas.

Snow leopards lead a solitary life except for short breeding season. Photo: COLLECTED
Snow leopards lead a solitary life except for short breeding season. Photo: COLLECTED

Innovative conservation efforts

Conservationists and local communities are joining forces to safeguard the future of snow leopards. Initiatives such as community-based conservation, where locals are actively involved in protecting these cats and their habitats, have shown promising results. Innovative technologies, including camera traps and satellite collars, provide researchers with valuable insights into the behaviours and movements of these secretive creatures.
One shining example of snow leopard conservation is the Snow Leopard Trust, an organisation dedicated to protecting these cats and their ecosystems. Through collaborative efforts, they work to reduce conflicts between snow leopards and local communities, conduct scientific research, and raise awareness about the importance of these magnificent creatures.
In recent years, the snow leopard has gained global attention and support. International organisations, governments, and individuals are uniting to ensure the survival of these iconic cats, and they have formed the Snow Leopard Network. Efforts are underway to strengthen anti-poaching measures, establish protected areas, and develop sustainable livelihoods for local communities that coexist with snow leopards.

Preserving the magic

The survival of the snow leopard is not only crucial for the species itself but for the entire Himalayan ecosystem. Preserving these elusive creatures means safeguarding the biodiversity, watersheds, and cultural heritage of the region. By protecting snow leopards, we are investing in the long-term health and resilience of one of the planet's most spectacular landscapes.

One of the most immediate dangers of climate change is the altering of the snow leopards' habitat. Their range spans across the cold, mountainous regions of Central and South Asia, where the delicate balance of temperature and ecosystem is essential for their survival.

The future of snow leopard threatened by the Anthropocene. Photo: COLLECTED
The future of snow leopard threatened by the Anthropocene. Photo: COLLECTED

With rising temperatures, snow lines are receding, and the availability of suitable habitat is dwindling. This forces snow leopards to move higher into the mountains, where their prey is scarcer, increasing the likelihood of human-wildlife conflicts as they encroach upon human settlements in search of food. 

What is more worrisome is the niche emptied of snow leopards is being taken over by the tiger and the leopard. Thus, a new frontier of intraguild competition has been created due to anthropogenic impacts; in which, snow leopards are destined to give in.

Furthermore, climate change disrupts the snow leopards' prey base. As habitats shift and food sources dwindle, the populations of Himalayan blue sheep, ibex, and other prey species may decline. This leaves the snow leopards hungry and struggling to find adequate nourishment for themselves and their young.

A shared responsibility

The fate of the snow leopard is intertwined with our collective actions. As we marvel at their beauty and the mystique that surrounds them, we must also recognise our role in their survival. Whether through supporting conservation organisations, advocating for stronger environmental policies, or raising awareness about these magnificent cats, each of us has the power to contribute to their future.

Photo: COLLECTED
Photo: COLLECTED

A hopeful future

As we gaze upon the majestic snow-covered peaks of the Himalayas, let us remember the silent guardians that roam these heights. The snow leopard embodies the resilience of nature and the strength of our commitment to protecting Earth's treasures. With concerted efforts, unwavering dedication, and a shared vision, we can ensure that these enigmatic creatures continue to grace the mountains with their presence for generations to come.

Features

leopard / Himalaya / Wild Animals / snow leopards / beautiful creature / animals

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Foreign firm to draft merger plan for investment promotion agencies
    Foreign firm to draft merger plan for investment promotion agencies
  • File photo of ex-prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy. Photo: Collected
    Joy spends Eid with Hasina in India: Indian media
  • European aircraft- manufacturing company Airbus and British aviation giant Menzies Aviation. Photo: Collected
    Aviation giants Airbus, Menzies seek long-time partnership with Bangladesh

MOST VIEWED

  • Illustration: Duniya Jahan/ TBS
    Forget Katy Perry, here’s Bangladesh’s Ruthba Yasmin shooting for the moon
  • A file photo of Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Ahsan H Mansur. Photo: Collected
    'I have no relation with this': Ahsan Mansur debunks Joy’s allegations over daughter’s Dubai flat
  • Faiz Ahmad Tayeb. Photo: BSS
    Import duty on raw materials for e-bikes, lithium batteries reduced from 80% to 1% in some cases: Faiz Taiyeb
  • Screengrab from video shows a group of local youths forcing tourists to leave a tourist spot in Utmachhra area of Sylhet's Companiganj on Sunday, 8 June 2025, citing allegations of obscene activities and environmental damage
    Locals declare tourist spot in Sylhet 'closed', force visitors to leave
  • Shakil Ahmed. Photo: Collected
    DU student allegedly hangs himself following threats over old derogatory comment about Prophet on Facebook
  • Photo shows the Land Cruiser Prado car belonging to former member of parliament (MP) Anwarul Azim Anar found in Kushtia. Photo: TBS
    Luxury car of ex-AL MP Anar, who was killed in Kolkata, found in Kushtia

Related News

  • After Everest and Annapurna I, Bangladeshi mountaineer Babar Ali plans to summit all 8,000-meter peaks
  • Man arrested for brutally killing endangered fishing cat with spear in Chuadanga
  • Over 40 missing after avalanche in Indian Himalayas: Rescuers
  • 44 wild animals rescued from resorts, shop in Gazipur
  • Two kittens of endangered leopard cats rescued, trafficker arrested

Features

Illustration: Duniya Jahan/ TBS

Forget Katy Perry, here’s Bangladesh’s Ruthba Yasmin shooting for the moon

14h | Features
File photo of Eid holidaymakers returning to the capital from their country homes/Rajib Dhar

Dhaka: The city we never want to return to, but always do

2d | Features
Photo collage shows political posters in Bagerhat. Photos: Jannatul Naym Pieal

From Sheikh Dynasty to sibling rivalry: Bagerhat signals a turning tide in local politics

3d | Bangladesh
Illustration: TBS

Unbearable weight of the white coat: The mental health crisis in our medical colleges

6d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

Greta Thunberg deported from Israel

Greta Thunberg deported from Israel

16h | TBS World
BNP is not a revolutionary party: Mirza Fakhrul

BNP is not a revolutionary party: Mirza Fakhrul

17h | TBS Today
News of The Day, 10 JUNE 2025

News of The Day, 10 JUNE 2025

14h | TBS News of the day
Trump sends 2,000 more National Guard and 700 Marines to Los Angeles

Trump sends 2,000 more National Guard and 700 Marines to Los Angeles

17h | TBS World
The Business Standard
Top
  • Home
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • About Us
  • Bangladesh
  • International
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Economy
  • Sitemap
  • RSS

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net

Copyright © 2025 THE BUSINESS STANDARD All rights reserved. Technical Partner: RSI Lab