International Snow Leopard Day: Where to spot these ‘vulnerable’ species in India?

Snow leopards were considered endangered species until 2017 but the status was changed to vulnerable later in the year. As per reports, India is home to about 450-500 snow leopards which can be spotted in the upper Himalayan regions of the country.

Here is a list of the 5 national parks, where (if you get lucky) can spot these beautiful animals.

Set in Uttarkashi district in Uttarakhand, Gangotri National Park offers some majestic views of the Himalayan glaciers. The park is home to 15 species of mammals and 150 species of birds but snow leopards are the prime attraction here.

The Great Himalayan National Park is huge and spread across four valleys, Jiwa Nal valley, Sainj Valley, Tirthan Valley and Parvati Valley. The park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014. This exotic park in Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu district is considered one of the best places to spot snow leopards in India.

Situated in Chamoli of Uttarakhand, the park is beautiful beyond words. There’s waterfalls and meadows of alpine flowers, everything one could wish for. The park is known for spotting the gorgeous snow leopards in India and is home to some rare animals.

Situated in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, this park is a part of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve. The park was recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1988.

The park is located in the Changlang district and is a biodiversity hotspot. It is home to snow leopards, clouded leopards, leopards and tigers.

Situated in the Himalayan range, the park is named after the famous Mount Khangchendzonga. Set at a height of 8586 m, it is one of the highest national parks in India. The park was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016 and is known as the best parks to witness snow leopards in India.

Named after a famous Indian freedom fighter Govind Ballabh Pant, the Indian government began the ‘Snow Leopard Project’ here. The park is home to nearly 15 large mammal species and more than 100 species of birds.

Situated in Lahaul and Spiti district, Pin Valley National Park is home to several endangered and vulnerable animals including snow leopards and Siberian ibex. One can also spot some rare birds in the region such as Himalayan snowcock and snow partridge, among others.

Hemis National Park is one of the largest parks in India spread over an area of 4400 sq km amid gorgeous mountains. The park supports a breeding population of around 200 snow leopards. Tibetan wolf, red fox and Himalayan marmot are other animals to spot inside the park.

Situated around 22 km away from Srinagar, Dachigam National Park is known for its sighting of snow leopards. This gorgeous park is also one of the best places to visit in Kashmir. Beside snow leopards, you can also spot Kashmir stag, hill fox and Himalayan black bear here.