Livelihood Improvement

Livelihood improvement programs in snow leopard landscapes aim to support local communities living in and around snow leopard habitats while also promoting the conservation of this endangered species. By improving local livelihoods in snow leopard landscapes, these programs aim to create a balance between community well-being and wildlife conservation, ensuring a sustainable future for both. These programs help reduce HWC, diversify income sources, promote sustainable resource use, strengthen community ownership of conservation, enhance climate resilience, and create incentives for conservation-friendly practices. The livelihood improvement initiatives introduced by the SLF include conservation tourism, provision of alternative energy sources, fodder cultivation, fruit tree plantations, apiculture, fruit processing, water management, etc. The ecosystem health program is a flagship initiative that involves the vaccination of 400,000 livestock annually to eradicate prevailing contagious diseases in the ecosystem and help increase livestock-based income in mountain communities.