he snow leopard range countries and partners unanimously agree to t

June 17, 2020

The snow leopard is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN-World Conservation Union’s Red List of the Threatened Species. Also, the snow leopard, like all big cats, is listed on Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES),

Explanation: The snow leopard range countries and partners unanimously agree to the shared goal of the Global Snow Leopard & Ecosystem Protection Program (GSLEP) for the seven years through 2020. The snow leopard range countries agree, with support from interested organisations, to work together to identify and secure at least 20 snow leopard landscapes across the cat’s range by 2020 or, in shorthand – “Secure 20 by 2020.”

Secure snow leopard landscapes are defined as those that contain at least 100 breeding age snow leopards conserved with the involvement of local communities, support adequate and secure prey populations, and have functional connectivity to other snow leopard landscapes, some of which cross international boundaries.

Therefore, the correct answer is b.

Snow leopards live in the mountainous regions of central and southern Asia. In India, their geographical range encompasses a large part of the western Himalayas including the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh in the eastern Himalayas. Snow leopards prefer steep, rugged terrains with rocky outcrops and ravines. This type of habitat provides excellent cover and a clear view to help them sneak up on their prey. They are found at elevations of 3,000-5,000 metres or higher in the Himalayas. The snow leopard is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN-World Conservation Union’s Red List of the Threatened Species. Also, the snow leopard, like all big cats, is listed on Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES), which makes trading of animal body parts (i.e., fur, bones and meat) illegal in signatory countries. Here is a list of some of the important national parks, where one can spot snow leopards

1. Hemis National Park

2. Dachigam National Park

3. Great Himalayan National Park

4. Pin Valley National Park

5. Gangotri National Park

6. Valley of Flower National Park

7. Nanda Devi National Park

8. Khangchendzonga National Park

9. Namdapha National Park

Q29. With reference to the ‘Ecological Successions’, consider the following statements: