The Snow Leopard Conservancy's Stewardship Program in Central Asia

Stewardship Program Activities

The Snow Leopard Conservancy works with local partners to provide needed technical assistance, grants and incentives for community-based activities which are environmentally sound and socially responsible, linked to specific stewardship and biodiversity conservation commitments, and designed to maximize community “ownership,” long-term self-reliance, and ecosystem health.

Examples of Activities to be Considered for Funding

Predator-proofing traditional stone livestock pens;
Trial testing of solar-electric fencing for use in summer pastures or sites with few stones;
Education of herders on improved animal husbandry and guarding practices for avoiding or reducing depredation, including awards for exemplary herders;
Use of guard dogs and community-based shepherding systems; “Predator-friendly” wool and handicraft production, such as the Irbis Enterprises model under implementation in Mongolia;
Incentives for reducing livestock numbers in depredation hotspots during predation-prone periods;
Development of eco-tourism opportunities, including trekking services, nature guiding, and traditional village homestays;
Protection of natural prey base (patrolling, creation of special wildlife areas, livestock-free blue sheep wintering areas, etc.);
Improved predator detection and avoidance skills of existing livestock (especially sheep and goats) through inclusion of suitable indigenous breeds from Tibet.

Overview

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