Chapter 15 - The role of mountain communities in snow leopard conservation

Abstract

Local communities can play vital and consequential roles in snow leopard (Panthera uncia) conservation as powerful stewards of the land and natural resources upon which both depend—but only if conservation actions enhance community and environmental well-being and are developed through fully participatory means. Along with a typology of participatory approaches, we share best practices toward sustainable, resilient, and scalable conservation-development initiatives, drawing on diverse practitioners’ 3–4decades of field experience highlighting the following key components:•Equitable participation of socially and economically marginalized groups, including households whose livelihoods and cultural survival are threatened by snow leopard predation or population decline.•Adaptable, site-specific conservation actions embedded in sound science, respectful of indigenous knowledge and values, and implemented through transparent planning and monitoring.•Incentivized with compensatory livelihood alternatives and long-term funding commitments involving fair cost sharing.•Implemented through multistakeholder partnerships supporting institution building.•Measurable outcomes built upon positive, strength-based planning and adaptive management with clear linkages between conservation objectives and enhanced community well-being.