An Introduction to Snow Leopard
(Unicia unicia)
Classification
Kingdom: Anamalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class : Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family :Felidae
Genus :Panthera
Species :Panthera unica
Status
Endangered
Distribution
Snow Leopard is commonly found at elevations between 3000-4500m.Mostly the snow covered area is its habitat.Snow leopard are distributed in great heights extending over the trans Himalayan region. In world it is reported in different countries like Afghanistan, Bhutan, China,India,Kazakhstan,Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia,Myanmar,Nepal,Pakistan,Russia,Tajikistan,Uzbekistan.In Nepal it is reported in Shey Phoksudno National Park,Dolpa, LangtangNational Park,Sagarmatha National Park, Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP),Makalu Barun National Park.
Identification
In appearance, the snow leopard is strikingly different from the common leopard. It posses long, thick smoky gray fur with dark band and spots, and a very long thick tail (longer than whole body length). The weight of adult snow leopard is up to 75 kg (165 lb).It is characterized by large paws, a strong chest, and short forelimbs that enable it to scale outcroppings on high cliffs. Further adaptations for high-altitude life include long hair with dense, woolly under fur and an enlarged nasal cavity. It has been reported to leap as far as 15 m .Throughout its range; the snow leopard is mostly associated with steep, dry, rocky terrain with shrub or grassland vegetation. It is generally found at elevations between 3000 - 4500 m. The snow leopard is an opportunistic predator. Its most common prey includes wild sheep and goats, but it also eats marmots, pikas, hares and game birds (chukor partridge and snowcocks), as well as domestic sheep, goats, yak etc. Though we call it leopard, due to the under-development of the fibro-elastic tissue that forms part of the vocal apparatus the snow leopard cannot give a full, deep roar and this along with differences in skull characteristics help to separate it from its fellow ‘big cats’.
Ontogeny and reproduction
Gestation Period :90-105 days
Young per Birth: Commonly 2-3 (Rarely 1-5)cubs
Sexual maturity: 2-3 Years
Life Span: 21 years
In the captivity and wild snow leopards breed during late winter (January-March).Captive-bom snow leopard cubs weighs 0.3-0.6 kg at birth. 1-2 kg after 25 days. Cubs open their eyes after about 1 week. Cub’s ears open after 2 weeks. They walk at 2 1/2 weeks. Retract claws at 3 1/2 weeks.Snow Leopard at age of 7 weeks start eating solid food voluntarily . Only after 12 weeks old they start to follow their mother (Juncys 1964. Frueh 1968. O'Conner and Freeman 1982).In captivity snow leopards have lived up to 21 years (Wharton and Freeman 1988).
Ecology
Weight:
The male weighs 45 - 55 kg (up to 75 kg )and the female snow leopard weighs 35 - 40 kg.
Habitat
The snow leopard generally inhabits in high mountain region of Asia where rugged terrain such as steep slopes with bluffs, ridges broken by outcrops, and valleys interrupted by cliffs, with arid and semi-arid shrubland, grassland, or steppe vegetation are abundant. Alpine forest with pine, fir, birch act as a suitable habitat for them.They are concentrated in blue sheep area.(Lakhey.2003). As summer gives way to winter, the snow leopard will follow its migrating prey down below the tree line to the lowland forests that cover much of its habitat – however the cat is rarely associated with dense forestation.
Food/ Energy requirement
Adult snow leopard (less than 45 kg) requires approximately 3000-4000 kcal per day, or alternatively about 40-45 g of food per kg body weight per day.
Home Range
Snow leopards studied in an area of high prey density in western Nepal had home ranges of 12-39 km2. The snow leopards travelled an average straight-line distance of 0.8 km per day. The longest distance moved in one day was 7 km (Jackson and Ahlborn 1988).They spend 42 - 60% of their time in only 14 - 23% of the total home range area. They change location from one day to the next unless on a kill. They disperse at 18 - 22 months of age.
Behavior
Snow leopards in Nepal are most active around dawn until about 10:00, and then again in the late afternoon and evening i.e crepuscular ((Jackson & Ahlborn 1989)).
Prey Species
The common prey species of snow Leopard are blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur),Himalayan tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus), serow,(Capricornis sumatraensis), goral (Nemorhaedus goral),musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster), wild boar (Sus scroJa), Tibetan antelope (Pantholops hodgsoni),wild yak (Bas grunninus),snowcock (Tetrogallus spp.) and chukor (Alectoris chukar). Study from different part of Nepal have shown that domestic animals such as sheep, goats, donkeys, horses,yak and cattle are constitute of Snow leopard prey.
Status and Trend in Nepal
Snow leopards are widely, but patchily and sparsely distributed throughout the alpine ecosystems of the Himalayan mountain range.The present research done by DNPWC and WWF Nepal shows that there are 300-400 Snow Leopards in Nepal. 2003 AD study shows that 4500 - 7350 (McCarthy & Chapron 2003) Snow Leopards were present in World. Nepal has listed the snow leopards in Schedule 1 of the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1973, thereby making it a priority species for conservation. It is Endangered species in IUCN category. The trend is declining.
Threats
Having been widely shot for fur in the early 20th century,it is still hunted for trophy. The patchy nature of its specialized habitat may render the smallest isolated populations endangered to extinctions, and higher levels of disturbance of local communities now pose a substantial threat.Localfarmers kill them because of its reputation as a livestock predator, and loss of prey due to man's hunting of the prey and competition of prey with domestic livestock is a main threats for snow leopards in Nepal.( Dhungel 1994).
Measures Taken
Legislation: This species is legally protected in Nepal. DNPWC act 2029 cited it as a protected wildlife.
Protected Area: many protected areas of Nepal are supposed to harbor the large populations of Snow Leopards. In Nepal,many protected area such as Shey Phoksundo National Park, Langtang National Park, Sagarmatha National Park etc are famous for snow leopard’s presence.
Research/Conservation
Many status surveys have been conducted in different parts of Nepal where Snow Leopards are abundant.Since along time different organization and expert are ingaged inassessing its presence and habitats.( e.g. Dhungel 1994).DNPWC, Department of Forests (DOF), WWF, National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), are involved in its protection and study. Snow Leopard Conservancy (US) is also working in Dolpa for its conservation and research. Junior ranger program implemented by this INGO is getting success. Few researches have been accomplished in Nepal with success and further more researched need to be emphasized on ecology and habitat study.
Conservation measures proposes
The following points give the short insight into what measures have proposed for Snow Leopard Conservation:
• Monitor populations at as many key sites as possible
• Access the effects of villagers upon the species and its habitat
• Manage the prey species
• Create awareness in local inhabitants’ of affected area
• Develop a species management plan to cover habitat preservations, and enforcement of hunting bans.
References:
DNPWC act 2029
Snow Leopard (Wikipedia)
Toriello K. 2002. Uncia uncia, Animal Diversity Web. December 13, 2007.
Guggisberg C. 1975. Wild Cats of the World. New York: Taplinger Publishing Company.
Dhungel 1994, McCarthy & Chapron 2003,
Baral,H.S.and Shah,K.B. 2008. Wild Mammals of Nepal.Himalayan Nature, Kathmandu
Chalise,M.K,2060 B.S.Wildlife of Nepal,Vol3.Nepal Natural History Society, Kathmandu
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Herbal Resources of Dolpa
Abstract
The flora of the Nepal Himalaya contains 10,167 plant species, of which over 7,000 are flowering plants and over 1,600 species are medicinal and aromatic herbs (Shrestha et al. 2000). The herbs, representing about 25% of the total country’s vascular flora, are used under different traditional systems including the Ayurveda, Homeopathic, Home herbal (folklore) and Amchi (traditional Tibetan medicine) medicinal systems. Thirty percent medicinal plant species of the country occur in the western part of the country. Western mountain regions lifestyle is depend upon the income from these herbal resources prevailing in that area.
Introduction
Dolpa lies between latitude 28 degrees 45 minutes to 29 degree 45minutes N and longitude 82 degrees 30 minutes to 83 degree 30 minutes east. It occupies an area of 7889 sq.km at the height of 1525-7754 M from sea level.Dolpa is well known as the Nepal’s largest district. It is rich in cultural and biological diversity.
Temperature of Dolpa varies from max.25 degree C to min -8 degree c. Due to which Dolpa is rich in medicinal plants. It is famous for the well known herbs YarsaGumba (Cardysips synenis).The variations of climate, soil and altitudes are responsible for these diversity. Due to richness in herbal resources the economic status is maintained. The income from these herbal resources contributes to the local and national economy through the generation of employment, not only local farmers and collectors are benefited but the whole stake holder related to herbal industry are benefited too.
Herbal drugs are playing an important role in health care programs world-wide
The need for conservation of medicinal plants being increasingly recognizes at local and national level. As medicinal herbs not only provide raw material for manufacture of drugs but also have reserved the local inhabitants for long time in traditional health care system and various other domestic consumption.
Among the 529 useful plant species recorded from Dolpa district so far, more than 400 species are medicinal plant such as Allium wallichii, Cordyceps sinensis, Aconitum, Allium, Arisaema, Berberis, Corydalis, Gentiana, Hippophae, Juniperus, Rhododendron,etc . The plants are widely used as resource for grazing in the Himalayas. Rotational grazing of livestock and selective harvesting mainly applied by Amchis were only the sustainable management approaches aimed at constraining pressures.
Medicinal plants are very important natural resources. Measures like conservation of rare species, systematic cultivation of economical profitable species and central of deforestation can greatly help being increasing these resources.
Mainly Dolpa is famous for Yarchagumba. Every year during May and June, thousands of villagers from remote areas risking their own lives head for high mountains to collect cordyceps or yarsagumba or yarchagumba. It is estimated that one villager can earn up to Rs. 2,500 approximately to $35 a day by collecting cordyceps or yarsagumba or yarchagumba which is beyond the monthly salary of many Nepalese households. Dolpa – a remote district in western Nepal with high steep valleys and dry climate is one of the foremost areas for collecting Cordyceps or Yarsagumba or Yarchagumba. Almost 50% of the annual supply of Cordyceps or Yarsagumba or Yarchagumba comes from Dolpa alone. Here, not only the adults but school goers also take unofficial holidays in search of the gold rush. Collection of Cordyceps or Yarsagumba or Yarchagumba was illegal until 2001 but following its popularity and the lobbying from various organizations, the Government lifted the ban but imposed a royalty rate of Rs. 20,000 (US$ 280) per kilogram(2.2lbs). One kilo of Cordyceps or Yarsagumba or Yarchagumba that costs about Rs. 315 (US$ 5/6) in 1992 increased to Rs. 105,000 (US$ 1,435) by the year 2002 and the price has been shooting up so as the international interest on the mysterious half-caterpillar-half-mushroom known as Cordyceps or Yarsagumba or Yarchagumba.
Conclusion:
What we conclude that it is Dolpa is rich in herbal resources and the life is suatined by income from these herbal resources but due to lack of knowledge and technology the amount of herbal collection is decreasing day by day. Proper care should be given on the sustainable management and consumption of herbal resources.This approach is much more important for rare and threatened species.
Reference:
Ripu M Kunwar,Bal K Nepal, Hari B Kshhetri,Sanjeev K Rai,1 and Rainer W Bussmann,2006, Ethnomedicine in Himalaya: a case study from Dolpa, Humla, Jumla and Mustang districts of Nepal,Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnobiomedicine
Kunwar, R.M. 2002. Some threatened medicinal and aromatic plants: status, trade and management practice in Dolpa district, midwestern Nepal. Journal of Natural History Museum 21:173-186
Suraj Upadhaya
BSC forestry
Institute of Forestry
Kathmandu Forestry College
Kathmandu
luckysuraj@gmail.com
The flora of the Nepal Himalaya contains 10,167 plant species, of which over 7,000 are flowering plants and over 1,600 species are medicinal and aromatic herbs (Shrestha et al. 2000). The herbs, representing about 25% of the total country’s vascular flora, are used under different traditional systems including the Ayurveda, Homeopathic, Home herbal (folklore) and Amchi (traditional Tibetan medicine) medicinal systems. Thirty percent medicinal plant species of the country occur in the western part of the country. Western mountain regions lifestyle is depend upon the income from these herbal resources prevailing in that area.
Introduction
Dolpa lies between latitude 28 degrees 45 minutes to 29 degree 45minutes N and longitude 82 degrees 30 minutes to 83 degree 30 minutes east. It occupies an area of 7889 sq.km at the height of 1525-7754 M from sea level.Dolpa is well known as the Nepal’s largest district. It is rich in cultural and biological diversity.
Temperature of Dolpa varies from max.25 degree C to min -8 degree c. Due to which Dolpa is rich in medicinal plants. It is famous for the well known herbs YarsaGumba (Cardysips synenis).The variations of climate, soil and altitudes are responsible for these diversity. Due to richness in herbal resources the economic status is maintained. The income from these herbal resources contributes to the local and national economy through the generation of employment, not only local farmers and collectors are benefited but the whole stake holder related to herbal industry are benefited too.
Herbal drugs are playing an important role in health care programs world-wide
The need for conservation of medicinal plants being increasingly recognizes at local and national level. As medicinal herbs not only provide raw material for manufacture of drugs but also have reserved the local inhabitants for long time in traditional health care system and various other domestic consumption.
Among the 529 useful plant species recorded from Dolpa district so far, more than 400 species are medicinal plant such as Allium wallichii, Cordyceps sinensis, Aconitum, Allium, Arisaema, Berberis, Corydalis, Gentiana, Hippophae, Juniperus, Rhododendron,etc . The plants are widely used as resource for grazing in the Himalayas. Rotational grazing of livestock and selective harvesting mainly applied by Amchis were only the sustainable management approaches aimed at constraining pressures.
Medicinal plants are very important natural resources. Measures like conservation of rare species, systematic cultivation of economical profitable species and central of deforestation can greatly help being increasing these resources.
Mainly Dolpa is famous for Yarchagumba. Every year during May and June, thousands of villagers from remote areas risking their own lives head for high mountains to collect cordyceps or yarsagumba or yarchagumba. It is estimated that one villager can earn up to Rs. 2,500 approximately to $35 a day by collecting cordyceps or yarsagumba or yarchagumba which is beyond the monthly salary of many Nepalese households. Dolpa – a remote district in western Nepal with high steep valleys and dry climate is one of the foremost areas for collecting Cordyceps or Yarsagumba or Yarchagumba. Almost 50% of the annual supply of Cordyceps or Yarsagumba or Yarchagumba comes from Dolpa alone. Here, not only the adults but school goers also take unofficial holidays in search of the gold rush. Collection of Cordyceps or Yarsagumba or Yarchagumba was illegal until 2001 but following its popularity and the lobbying from various organizations, the Government lifted the ban but imposed a royalty rate of Rs. 20,000 (US$ 280) per kilogram(2.2lbs). One kilo of Cordyceps or Yarsagumba or Yarchagumba that costs about Rs. 315 (US$ 5/6) in 1992 increased to Rs. 105,000 (US$ 1,435) by the year 2002 and the price has been shooting up so as the international interest on the mysterious half-caterpillar-half-mushroom known as Cordyceps or Yarsagumba or Yarchagumba.
Conclusion:
What we conclude that it is Dolpa is rich in herbal resources and the life is suatined by income from these herbal resources but due to lack of knowledge and technology the amount of herbal collection is decreasing day by day. Proper care should be given on the sustainable management and consumption of herbal resources.This approach is much more important for rare and threatened species.
Reference:
Ripu M Kunwar,Bal K Nepal, Hari B Kshhetri,Sanjeev K Rai,1 and Rainer W Bussmann,2006, Ethnomedicine in Himalaya: a case study from Dolpa, Humla, Jumla and Mustang districts of Nepal,Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnobiomedicine
Kunwar, R.M. 2002. Some threatened medicinal and aromatic plants: status, trade and management practice in Dolpa district, midwestern Nepal. Journal of Natural History Museum 21:173-186
Suraj Upadhaya
BSC forestry
Institute of Forestry
Kathmandu Forestry College
Kathmandu
luckysuraj@gmail.com
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