Project

GLO Transboundary Cooperation for Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Conservation

Lead country

New York - GEF

Participating countries

Kyrgyzstan

Project status

Closure

Implementing period

From February 7, 2017 to December 31, 2020

SDGs addressed by this project

SDG targets

  1. 15.4 Conserve mountain ecosystems, including their biodiversity
  2. 15.5 Reduce habitat degradation, halt biodiversity loss, extinction
  3. 15.a Mobilize resources for biodiversity conservation, sustainable use

Project ID: 5413

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Technical team

  • Ecosystems and Biodiversity Programme

Technical area(s)

  • Strengthening conservation areas

Sub-area(s)

  • Wildlife conservation

Landscape(s)

  • Conserved areas
  • Grasslands

Sub-landscape(s)

  • Key biodiversity areas (KBAs)
  • Transboundary conservation areas
  • Montane forests

Transformed sector(s)

  • Agriculture
  • Livestock
  • Forestry and other land use

UNDP role(s)

  • Capacity development / Technical assistance

Strategy

  • Governance
  • Law regulation

Sub-strategy

  • Transboundary governance
  • Institutional framework
  • Partnerships
  • Laws/ Policy/Plan formulation

Social inclusion

N/A

Gender equality

N/A

Gender result effectiveness scale

N/A

Pathway(s)

  • Systems pathway

Risk reduction target(s)

  • Reduce exposure
  • Improve resilience

SDG target(s)

  • 15.4 Conserve mountain ecosystems, including their biodiversity
  • 15.5 Reduce habitat degradation, halt biodiversity loss, extinction
  • 15.a Mobilize resources for biodiversity conservation, sustainable use

Conventions and protocols

  • Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
  • National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs)

Private sector(s)

N/A

Hot topic

  • Structural/system transformation
  • Food and agricultural commodities strategy

About this project

Description

The snow leopard is a top predator and a global flagship species that has an extremely large habitat range inhabiting mountain ranges (with elevations ranging from 540m asl to 5000m asl spanning around 1.8 million km2) in as many as 12 countries: Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Kingdom of Bhutan, PeopleÔÇÖs Republic of China, Republic of India, Republic of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Nepal, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Russian Federation, Republic of Tajikistan, and Republic of Uzbekistan.. Highly elusive, exact numbers are difficult to determine but are estimated to range from 3,500 to 7,000 numbers in the wild. The snow leopard is classified as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List; and is listed in Appendix I of CITES and Appendix II on the Convention on Migratory Species (the CMS or Bonn Convention). As the top predator in the high mountains in these countries, the snow leopard plays an important ecological role in controlling the populations and health of the wild ungulate species it preys on. While the Asiatic brown bears that overlap the snow leopardÔÇÖs range subsist largely on pikas, marmots, scavenged meat and plant matter, the snow leopard subsists almost entirely on large animals caught live, frequently sick or injured animals. Protecting the snow leopard, its prey species, and its habitat is critical to protecting broader eco-regions as well, such as the high altitude grasslands and wetlands in these range countries. As such it is an important indicator species of highly healthy mountain ecosystems. In addition, the Snow Leopard is an important cultural symbol. In all the range countries, the lifestyle, religious beliefs and traditional practices (traditional agriculture, marriage, governance) are inter-connected with the presence of snow leopard.

Objectives

To strengthen transboundary conservation of snow leopard ecosystems and landscapes that ensure stability of global snow leopard population by addressing drivers of existing and emerging threats with special focus in Central Asia.

USD $1,070,000

Grant amount

USD $4,196,000

Leveraged amount (co-financing)

1

Source(s) of fund

Sources of fund

 

  • Global Environment Facility – Trust Fund ($1,070,000)

Implementing partner(s)

  • New York - GEF

Project metrics

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Geospatial information

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Project reports and documentation