The recent announcement of Union Environment and Forest Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan that his ministry is ready to extend support to the Arunachal Pradesh government in conservation of the snow leopard should be grabbed with both the hands. The assurance came following a letter from Member of Parliament Ninong Ering, requesting for a survey to find the number of snow leopards in Arunachal Pradesh. Ering had also sought for starting of Project Snow Leopard in Arunachal Pradesh. Taking advantage of the keenness exhibited by the ministry of forest, the state government should immediately start the process and send proposals for the conservation of snow leopard.
Arunachal Pradesh is one of the world’s “ecological hotspots” presenting vast range of species and ecosystem diversity in the eastern Himalayas. It is also considered as one of the eighteen “biodiversity hotspots” in the world. The rich biodiversity has to be protected at any cost and sincere effort should be made towards it. First of all intense research programme should be conducted to study about the rich biodiversity of state taking the help of the experts. Just like snow Leopard there are several animals which need protection of the state. The rampant deforestation and illegal hunting is posing serious threat to the existence of wild animals. Unless drastic measures are adopted many of the wild lives will permanently vanish from the state.