The Snow Leopard Foundation (SLF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to conserving viable populations of snow leopards and other wild carnivores in Pakistan. Established in 2008, SLF operates across the mountainous regions of Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Azad Jammu & Kashmir, focusing on integrating conservation efforts with community development.
Vision & Mission
Vision: To inspire Pakistan to be a land where people live in harmony with wildlife, where nature is valued, conserved, and ecosystem services sustained to deliver benefits essential for all people. SLF
Mission: To conserve viable populations of snow leopards and other wild carnivores as an integral part of landscapes across Pakistan through innovative strategies, including state-of-the-art research, community-based conservation initiatives, capacity-building programs, and educational outreach.
Core Programs & Initiatives
1. Community-Based Conservation
SLF engages with over 40,000 households across 50 valleys, covering an area of 30,075 km² in the Himalaya-Karakoram-Hindukush ranges. The foundation implements various strategies to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts.
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Predator-Proof Corrals (PPCs): Strengthening livestock enclosures to prevent snow leopards from accessing and killing livestock.
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Livestock Insurance Schemes: Providing compensation to farmers for livestock losses due to predation.
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Ecosystem Health Programs: Vaccinating approximately 400,000 livestock annually to prevent disease outbreaks.
2. Livelihood Improvement
SLF promotes sustainable livelihoods through initiatives like:
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Snow Leopard Enterprises (SLE): A program that trains local women in handicrafts, such as weaving and embroidery, using traditional materials. These products are marketed under the brand “Punaar,” providing artisans with fair wages and preserving cultural heritage.
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Alternative Energy Solutions: Introducing solar energy systems to reduce dependency on firewood, thereby conserving local forests.
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Fruit Tree Plantations: Encouraging the cultivation of fruit trees to diversify income sources and improve nutrition.
3. Research & Monitoring
SLF conducts extensive ecological research to inform conservation strategies, including:
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Camera Trapping Surveys: Monitoring snow leopard populations and their prey.
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Habitat Assessments: Identifying critical habitats for conservation prioritization.
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Climate Change Impact Studies: Understanding how climate change affects biodiversity and developing adaptive strategies.
The foundation has supported over 30 postgraduate students in completing their theses related to wildlife conservation. SLF
4. Education & Capacity Building
SLF invests in education and training to build local capacity:
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Nature Study Camps: Organizing camps for high school students to promote environmental awareness and leadership skills.
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Training Ecosystem Health Workers: Equipping community members with skills to support livestock health and disease prevention.
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Higher Education Support: Assisting individuals in pursuing advanced degrees in wildlife conservation, resulting in 50 MPhil and 6 PhD graduates.
Recognition & Impact
In June 2024, SLF was honored with the National Biodiversity Conservation Award on World Environment Day. This accolade recognized SLF’s dedication to preserving biodiversity, focusing on habitat restoration and sustainable land management. The foundation’s efforts have positively impacted over 20,000 households through various initiatives, including conservation tourism, alternative energy provision, and fruit tree plantations.
How to Support SLF
Individuals can contribute to SLF’s mission through:
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Donations: Financial support to fund conservation projects and community initiatives.
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Volunteering: Offering time and skills to assist in various programs.
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Spreading Awareness: Sharing SLF’s work and mission to garner broader community support.
For more information or to get involved, visit SLF’s official website.
