Arman Shah, a dedicated herder from the rugged mountains of Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan, had always lived in harmony with nature, tending to his and other community members’ livestock. His livelihood depended on his animals, with every goat and sheep crucial for his family’s survival. Like others in his hometown, he used a traditional corral with a feeding hole to keep his livestock. However, in March 2024 Arman faced a devastating loss when a snow leopard killed 28 of his goats in a single night. The predator had entered through a feeding hole in the roof of his traditional corral, turning a simple design feature into an unexpected entry point.
Later, at a photography shop in Skardu where Arman and his son were printing photos of their lost livestock, they met Raza Muhammad, Manager at Baltistan Wildlife Conservation and Development Organization (BWCDO). Upon learning of their tragic loss, Raza was inspired to help Arman and his community prevent future conflicts between humans and snow leopards. This chance encounter brought BWCDO’s expertise to an area they hadn’t worked in during their 25-year history in the region.
Through collaboration between BWCDO, local community members, and the Government’s Wildlife and Parks Department, a sustainable solution emerged. Within two months, despite the remote location’s challenges, BWCDO constructed a predator-proof corral at a designated pasture site. This initiative benefited not just Arman but all 65 households in the village, providing both physical and psychological security to the community.
“I was devastated when I lost my livestock,” Arman reflected. “But thanks to BWCDO, not only did I recover my losses, but the animals are safer now than ever before. The snow leopards can live in peace, and so can we.”
Today, Arman has become a passionate advocate for wildlife conservation in his community. The project demonstrates how protecting predators and preserving livelihoods can work hand in hand, creating a model for community-driven conservation where both wildlife and local communities thrive together.
This transformation in Gilgit Baltistan shows how community-driven conservation can create lasting change, protecting both pastoral livelihoods and the magnificent snow leopards that share these mountains.
