Tajikistan contains around 250-280 snow leopards primarily within the Pamir Mountain range.
Tajikistan is located in the center of the snow leopard range. Tajikistan’s mountains are a key part of the snow leopard range in Central Asia. The total habitat of the snow leopard in Tajikistan is about 85,700 km Ç, which represents 60% of the total territory of the country and about 2.8% of the current global range of the species.
According to local experts, there are currently 250-280 snow leopards in Tajikistan.
The Pamir and Pamir-Alai are the main link between the south-eastern part of the global range of the species (particularly the Hindu Kush mountain range, the Karakoram, Tibet and Gimilaev) and the northern part of its range (including the Tien Shan, Altai and Sayan systems).
In Tajikistan, the snow leopard can be found in the following ranges: Turkestan, Zeravshanskiy, Hissar, Karateghin, Hazratishoh, Vakhsh, Darvaz, Academy of Sciences, Peter the Great, Vanj, Yazgulem, Rushan, Shakhdarinsky, Pshart,
Muzkulskogo, Sarykol, South Alichur, North Alichur, Wakhan and the Trans-Alay. Of great importance for the snow leopard is the territory of the Pamirs and Badakhshan (GBAO), where almost 70% of the distribution of snow leopards in Tajikistan occurs.
Illegal trade, conflict with humans, lack of conservation capacity, and loss of prey have been identified as threats to this endangered species within Tajikistan.
Loss of key prey species, in particular Marco Polo sheep, markhor, urial and ibex, is thought to be responsible for increasing instances of depredation by snow leopards on domestic animals, leading to an alarming increase in retaliatory killing of snow leopards. Those animals killed due to such conflict often enter the illegal trade for their bones, pelts and other body parts.
The goal of conserving the snow leopard in Tajikistan is to maintain its current range and restore its population across its historical range wherever possible.
National Snow Leopard & Ecosystem Protection Plan:
Download as PDF: Tajikistan_NSLEP
Minister:
Mr Gulmakhmadzoda Davlatsho Kurbonali
Chairman of the Committee of Environmental Protection under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan
Designated National Focal Point:
Mr. Neimutallo Safarov
UNDP Tajikistan
neimatullo.safarov@undp.org