Livestock farming in Upper Mustang is increasingly at risk due to frequent snow leopard attacks, which have been killing domestic animals and alarming locals.

The attacks have endangered the centuries-old practice of livestock farming in the region. Domestic animals are being preyed upon in pastures and enclosures within the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP). However, there is no well-maintained record of the losses incurred.

Alongside frequent attacks, climate change has contributed to the decline of pastures, posing a serious threat to livestock farming in the Himalayan region. Grasslands are becoming barren, leaving livestock with limited grazing areas. Meanwhile, blue sheep, the snow leopard’s primary prey, are moving downhill in search of grass and fodder. The predators follow them and, in the process, increasingly target domestic animals.

Snow leopards, which primarily inhabit higher elevations, have also been spotted near human settlements. Last year, two were seen close to Kagbeni village. Their presence has left locals worried about protecting their horses, yaks, sheep, and goats.

Two years ago, a snow leopard broke into an enclosure in Dhakmar village and killed 79 Himalayan goats belonging to local herder Mingmar Gurung. More recently, in the first week of February, livestock farmer Navin Kumar Gurung of Baragung Muktichhetra-3 lost four Himalayan goats in a snow leopard attack.

According to Ramesh Paudel, chief of the ACAP office in Lomanthang, snow leopards have killed 13 domestic animals in the last 10 months. In fiscal year 2022/23, 13 households in Mustang lost a total of 65 domestic animals. The worst-affected areas include Lomanthang, Loghekar Damodarkunda, Baragung Muktichhetra, Ghapajhong, and Thasang.

Animal husbandry is the primary source of income in Nepal’s upper Himalayan region. It is not just an occupation but also an integral part of the region’s culture. However, increasing threats from snow leopards and environmental changes are making it increasingly difficult for herders to sustain their livelihoods. -- RSS