Educators, government officials, and conservation officers gather at an advocacy workshop to discuss integrating snow leopard conservation lessons into the standard school curriculum. Photo: Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) ranger

Teka Samuha Nepal (TSN) recognized that long-term success of incorporating snow leopard conservation education into school curriculums would involve making it a permanent part of local educational systems. They have, therefore, been conducting snow leopard conservation curriculum advocacy workshops across rural municipalities. The workshops bring together governmental officials and administrators, forest officers, headmasters, teachers, and journalists.

In Gharapjhong Rural Municipality, the advocacy efforts resulted in the development of a new local textbook for Grade 4. The textbooks incorporate a dedicated snow leopard chapter, using TSN’s existing reference books as a guide. They are scheduled for implementation in the 2026/2027 school year. This will be the first time snow leopard conservation will be part of the standard curriculum for younger students in the region.

At the snow leopard conservation curriculum advocacy workshops, local government officials expressed strong commitment to continuing and expanding their efforts. The vice-chairperson of Baragung Muktichhetra Rural Municipality pledged ongoing support for the snow leopard conservation education program. Both rural municipalities in Mustang provided financial contributions to support program activities. This is a tangible demonstration of local ownership and investment in the initiative.

These workshops represent a strategic success in ensuring that snow leopard conservation education becomes permanently embedded in local educational systems. As one education chief noted, “By making this part of our local curriculum, we ensure that every child in our municipality learns about snow leopard conservation, not just those in schools reached by outside organizations. This is how we build lasting change.”