India Observes International Snow Leopard Day with Nationwide ‘#23for23’ Awareness Drive

New Delhi | October 24, 2025 India celebrated International Snow Leopard Day on Thursday with a countrywide campaign titled ‘#23for23’, inspiring citizens to dedicate 23 minutes of physical activity in support of snow leopard conservation and the preservation of their delicate mountain ecosystems. The initiative drew enthusiastic participation from people across the nation, including schools, local communities, conservation institutions, and the Indian Army, turning the day into a widespread public movement for wildlife protection. Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav led the celebrations, highlighting the growing success of India’s conservation programs under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He commended the “#23for23” initiative for creatively linking fitness with environmental responsibility, noting that such campaigns help strengthen public involvement in protecting endangered species like the snow leopard. “The event reinforces India’s commitment to the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Programme (GSLEP),” Yadav said, adding that India’s efforts are focused on scientific monitoring, habitat protection, and the active participation of local communities in mountainous regions. He emphasized that snow leopards are not only an indicator of a healthy mountain ecosystem but also an integral part of the Himalayan biodiversity chain that supports numerous other species. In a post shared on X, Yadav wrote, “India marked International Snow Leopard Day with the #23for23 campaign, encouraging 23 minutes of physical activity to raise awareness about snow leopard conservation. Under the leadership of PM Shri Narendra Modi ji, our conservation initiatives are yielding strong results. The first-ever Snow Leopard Census recorded 718 individuals across the Indian Himalayas, with Ladakh alone home to 477 of them. I congratulate everyone who participated, especially the Indian Army, for their remarkable contribution.” The recent Snow Leopard Census, conducted for the first time across all Himalayan states, marks a significant milestone in India’s wildlife research and conservation efforts. Using a combination of camera traps, field surveys, and habitat modeling, the census revealed encouraging population estimates and provided critical data on snow leopard distribution patterns across Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. The results have been hailed as a major achievement in India’s long-term conservation strategy, reflecting the impact of sustained policy and community efforts in the region. The snow leopard, often referred to as the “ghost of the mountains,” is classified as a vulnerable species and is primarily found across 12 countries in Central and South Asia. India, which hosts one of the largest populations, plays a vital role in the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Programme (GSLEP), a transboundary initiative dedicated to conserving both the species and its fragile alpine habitat. The ‘#23for23’ campaign, launched jointly by the GSLEP and the Snow Leopard Trust Worldwide, sought to blend public engagement with physical fitness while spreading awareness about the challenges facing high-altitude ecosystems. From school students to soldiers stationed in the Himalayas, citizens across the country joined in with walks, treks, and yoga sessions to symbolize their support. With the campaign’s success, India once again demonstrated its leadership in global wildlife conservation, combining innovation, community action, and scientific rigor to protect one of the world’s most elusive and majestic species. India Celebrates International Snow Leopard Day with #23for23 Initiative India marked International Snow Leopard Day with the nationwide #23for23 campaign, urging citizens to dedicate 23 minutes of physical activity to promote awareness about snow leopard conservation. Led by Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, the initiative saw enthusiastic participation from communities, institutions, and the Indian Army. Yadav highlighted India’s progress in wildlife protection, citing the first-ever Snow Leopard Census that recorded 718 individuals across the Himalayas, including 477 in Ladakh. The campaign, part of the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Programme, emphasized community involvement and science-based conservation to safeguard these majestic mountain cats