CONFLICT AND COEXISTENCE: A REVIEW OF HUMAN–SNOW LEOPARD CONSERVATION DYNAMICS IN PAKISTAN
Keywords:
Habitat fragmentation, human–wildlife conflict, conservation strategies, snow leopard, community-based managementAbstract
The snow leopard (Panthera uncia) is an ecologically and evolutionarily significant apex predator that plays a vital role in sustaining the balance of Pakistan’s high-mountain ecosystems. Nevertheless, its long-term survival is increasingly threatened by habitat fragmentation, declining prey populations, and persistent human–wildlife conflict.
This review critically examines four major conservation strategies implemented in Pakistan: community-based conservation initiatives, predator-proof livestock enclosures, compensation and insurance schemes, and habitat restoration programs. Recent studies reveal both the achievements and shortcomings of these interventions, providing a balanced evaluation of their overall effectiveness. Livestock depredation remains the primary driver of human–snow leopard conflict, often resulting in retaliatory killings that undermine local support for conservation efforts.
Addressing these complex challenges requires adaptive management approaches, participatory governance, and stronger cross-sector collaboration to align conservation goals with local livelihood needs. The review further identifies three critical knowledge gaps: (1) the lack of standardized conflict reporting systems, (2) insufficient and inconsistent monitoring of snow leopard populations, and (3) limited coordination in transboundary conservation planning. Bridging these gaps is essential for informing evidence-based policy and developing sustainable coexistence strategies that protect both snow leopards and the socioeconomic well-being of the mountain communities that share their habitat
