Snow Leopard Conservancy India Trust

  • Ladakh
ServicesSnow Leopard Conservation
Board of directors
  • Mr. David Sonam (Managing Trustee)
  • Mr. Renzino Lepcha (Trustee)
  • Ms. Rigzin Dolma (Trustee)
Key people
  • Late Mr. Rinchen Wangchuk (co-founder)
  • Dr. Rodney Jackson (co-founder)
  • Dr. Tsewang Namgail (Director)
AffiliationsPanthera CorporationWebsitesnowleopardindia.org
Formerly called
Snow Leopard Conservancy

The Snow Leopard Conservancy India Trust (SLC-IT) is a non-profit cat conservation organization for the protection of the snow leopard (Panthera uncia), its prey species, and its habitat located in Ladakh, India. It primarily focuses on the Indian range of the snow leopard. Apart from conservation and ecological research on the snow leopard, the SLC-IT initiated the Himalayan Homestay Program in 2003.

History

The Snow Leopard Conservancy India Trust was formed in 2000 as the Indian branch of the Snow Leopard Conservancy. It became an independent Indian organization in 2003.

Community-based Conservation

Community-based conservation is accorded the highest priority because the organization believes that the snow leopard and other wildlife of the Himalayas and other mountainous areas in Asia, cannot be conserved without the support of the local people who share resources with the snow leopard and other wildlife on a daily basis.[1] Thus, the organization has been relentlessly active at the community level, enhancing living conditions to ensure that local residents join the conservation effort.

Environmental Education

Environmental education through training and awareness is a major component of SLC-IT's conservation model. The conservancy produces educational materials like books, CDs ,and pamphlets regularly, highlighting the biodiversity and conservation issues in Ladakh. The organization partnered with Kalpavriksh, a Pune-based organization, in bringing up the Ri Gyancha (jewels of the mountains),[2] a biodiversity resource kit for Ladakh, which has been used by both children and educators. Teacher education forms a significant component of their educational programs, and they have recently begun providing education and training to both graduate students and adults.

Awards and Recognitions

  • 2004 - First Choice Responsible Tourism Award at the World Travel Market
  • 2005 - Global Vision Award for Community Outreach
  • 2008 - Finalists in the Geo-tourism Challenge by National Geographic’s Centre for Sustainable Destinations and Ashoka Changemakers
  • 2013 - Favorite Responsible Tourism Initiative Award by Outlook Traveller
  • 2015 - Earth Guardian Award by the Royal Bank of Scotland
  • 2016 - IRTA-Gold in Best Contribution to Wildlife Conservation[3]
  • 2016 - IRTA-Overall Winner[4]
  • 2018 - Carl Zeiss Wildlife Conservation Award
  • 2018 - TOFTigers Wildlife Tourism Award

References

  1. ^ Ramanan, S Suresh (8 March 2019). "Local communities key in conservation of snow leopards: study". DownToEarth. Down To Earth. Retrieved 8 March 2019.
  2. ^ "A practical resource: Ri Gyancha". Teacher Plus. 23 April 2020. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
  3. ^ "Outlook Responsible Tourism".
  4. ^ "Outlook Responsible Tourism".

External links

  • SLC-IT official website
  • Himalayan Homestays website