The Snow Leopard Conservancy's Work in Lingshed, India

Snow Leopard Conservancy - Conservation Program

While the Indian constitution provides legal protection for their survival, this alone seems sluggish and incomplete. Snow leopards continue to be threatened and poached; Snow Leopard Conservancy comes at this disheartening and critical hour to fill up this gap in conservation.

...Tashi Angchuk,
Lingshed School Headmaster

the trail through the Zanskar Mountains – photo © Judith Brown

The trail into the Zanskar Mountains has been cut by hand into a sheer cliff that drops to a boulder-strewn river – photo © Judith Brown.

Snow Leopard Conservation in Lingshed

It took Rinchen and Karma four days of strenuous trekking from Phanjila to the remote village of Lingshed, situated deep in the craggy folds of Zanskar mountains. It is cut-off from the rest of Ladakh and Zanskar for up to four months each year by deep snow and dangerous trails. Enroute they saw ibex and blue sheep, and found ample fresh evidence of snow leopards and wolves while crossing over the high passes and along the narrow rocky gorges.

The villagers requested their help to reduce livestock losses by carnivores so that “they could become better Buddhists.” After conducting participatory planning exercises, they decided to predator proof corrals serving their seven pastures. Snow Leopard Conservancy agreed to provide wooden poles, mesh wire and other items not locally available, while the villagers rebuild the existing corrals with stronger and higher walls. Meantime, Karma Otsal initiated an environmental awareness program at the school.

We are now working with the Lingshed Association to bring vocational and nature guide training to youths of this very poor village, while also honoring its rich cultural and spiritual heritage.

If you would like to learn more about Lingshed and see Judith Brown’s beautiful photographs of this remote Himalayan valley, visit A Pictoral Trip to the Heart of Ladakh.

Zanskar

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