India Celebrates International Snow Leopard Day through 23for23 Campaign

• Date: 23 October 2025
• Theme: ‘#23for23’ -23 minutes of exercise to bring attention to the conservation of 23 snow leopard habitats in India.

Key Highlights:

• Headed by the Union Environment Minister, Bhupender Yadav, and involving the citizens, schools, and the Indian Army.
• Activities involved walks, treks, runs, awareness drives in states in the Himalayas.
• Pay attention to the connection between the ecological consciousness and the involvement of people and their physical activity.

Snow Leopard Census 2025:

• The initial Snow Leopard Census was held in India and documented 718 animals in the Himalayas.
• Ladakh: 477; other loci are Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Sikkim.
• Information gathered by camera traps, field surveys and genetic analysis.

Conservation Goals:

• Conforms to Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Programme (GSLEP).
• Focus on conservation by science, management of habitats and community involvement.
• Snow leopard regarded as an indicator of the Himalayan ecosystem health.

Exam-Oriented Facts:

• The Snow Leopard Day is observed on 23 October every year.
• The campaign in India, 23for23, is aimed at increasing awareness by promoting 23 minutes of exercise.
• Census gives the most accurate estimation of the number of species found in India to date.

Related Topics:

• Eco-tourism and conservation of wildlife.
• Ecosystem conservation in high-altitudes.
• Conservation projects at the community level.
• Protection of species world-wide.