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Women guardians of the 'ghosts of the mountains'
In the high-altitude cold desert of Himachal Pradesh's Spiti Valley, a group of local women has taken on a critical role: tracking and protecting the elusive snow leopard, one of Asia's most endangered predators.
From conflict to conservation
For generations, snow leopards-known locally as Shen-were viewed as threats by villagers in Kibber and surrounding areas, where livestock predation fueled resentment. But attitudes are shifting as communities recognize the animal's ecological importance as a top predator in the fragile Himalayan ecosystem.
A 2023 nationwide survey estimated India's snow leopard population at over 700, with Himachal Pradesh alone home to 83 individuals-a rise from 51 in 2021. The findings, derived from camera traps spanning 26,000 sq km, relied on identifying leopards by their unique fur patterns.
The Shenmo initiative
Nearly a dozen women from the region now work with the Himachal Pradesh forest department and the Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF) under the Shenmo group. Trained to install and monitor camera traps, they brave harsh winter conditions to collect data, often trekking to altitudes above 4,300 meters (14,000 feet) where thin air makes movement exhausting.
"Earlier, men used to install the cameras, and we wondered why we couldn't do it too."
Lobzang Yangchen, local coordinator with NCF
Their work involves identifying fresh pugmarks, scrapes, and scent-marking spots, then positioning cameras along snow leopard trails. A "walk test" ensures the devices capture clear images before the team retrieves memory cards and replaces batteries.
Challenges and transformations
Winter surveys are grueling. The women wake before dawn, complete household chores, and trek for hours in subzero temperatures. Many, like Chhering Lanzom, had limited formal education and initially struggled with the technology.
"I studied only until grade five. At first, I was scared to use the computer, but slowly, we learned."
Chhering Lanzom, Shenmo team member
While the modest daily wage of 500-700 rupees ($5.46-$7.64) was an initial draw, the work has reshaped perceptions of snow leopards. "Earlier, we thought the snow leopard was our enemy," says Dolma Zangmo. "Now we think their conservation is important."
Broader impact and recognition
The women also assist villagers with government livestock insurance schemes and promote predator-proof corrals to reduce human-wildlife conflict. Their efforts align with Spiti Valley's recent designation as part of the UNESCO-recognized Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve, which aims to balance conservation with local livelihoods.
"Once communities are involved, conservation becomes more sustainable. These women are not just assisting-they are becoming practitioners of wildlife conservation."
Deepshikha Sharma, NCF High Altitudes programme manager
A future in the high Himalayas
As climate change alters the trans-Himalayan landscape, community-driven conservation is seen as vital for species like the snow leopard. For the women of Shenmo, the work has deepened their connection to the mountains they call home.
"We were born here, this is all we know. Sometimes we feel afraid, but this is where we belong."
Lobzang Yangchen
