Islamabad, A new report from WWF-Pakistan highlights the significant risk to snow leopards in Gilgit-Baltistan, with infrastructure developments, particularly road construction, posing severe threats to their habitats. The report stresses the need for careful planning to mitigate impacts on wildlife as development progresses in the region.

According to Zameen.Com, the rapid pace of infrastructure projects in Gilgit-Baltistan, including major roads like the Karakoram Highway and the Gilgit-Shandur Road, has led to habitat fragmentation for snow leopards. This development restricts their movement and increases the likelihood of human-wildlife conflicts. The report, which is part of the BEAST project supported by the With Snow Leopards Small Grant, indicates that the increased traffic also affects prey species such as the Himalayan ibex and domestic livestock.

WWF-Pakistan's Sustainable Infrastructure Initiative underscores the importance of integrating snow leopard conservation into infrastructure planning. The organization advocates for the creation of wildlife corridors and proactive mitigation strategies to preserve these vulnerable populations. Hammad Naqi Khan, Director General of WWF-Pakistan, emphasized the critical balance between necessary development and environmental conservation.

While global snow leopard populations are difficult to estimate, current research suggests there are fewer than 7,000 worldwide, with 200 to 420 residing in Pakistan’s northern mountain ranges, including Gilgit-Baltistan.