Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program AFGHANISTAN Day 1, Tuesday, Plenary Session 1

Introduction The snow leopard is a national symbol of Afghanistan. The populations that remain must be protected for future generations.

Value Snow leopards are an indicator of the health of our mountain ecosystem. The presence of snow leopards can be a considerable attraction for tourism and bring in revenue to local communities that live in its range.

Status & Threats There are an estimated 100-200 snow leopards in Afghanistan. The threats affecting them include: Direct human disturbance (hunting, poaching, retaliatory killing for preying on livestock); Declines in prey due to illegal hunting; Declines in prey due to competition with livestock for grazing areas.

National Goal Mitigate threats to snow leopards and their prey.

Key Actions Continue with conservation awareness in mostly snow leopard rangeland areas; Continue to reduce human-snow leopard conflict (livestock depredation); Identify further snow leopard rangeland areas and include these in the protected area system; Continue to engage with neighboring countries to establish transboundary collaboration for protected areas.

Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program AFGHANISTAN Day 2, Wednesday, High Level Segment

What is required? Launch, Policy, & Institutional Changes Afghanistan’s National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) is working to: Officially gazette 3 major wildlife reserves to protect snow leopards and other wildlife; Increase research and monitoring (including eco-system health program); Increase wildlife trade monitoring and improve enforcement; Continue working on transboundary actions;

What is required? Sustaining Political Will Continued awareness raising among sub- national government and related agencies of the importance of snow leopard conservation to local communities and their commitment to it. Briefings to senior decision-makers at national level from officers from National Environmental Protection Agency and Ministry of Agriculture engaged in Snow leopard conservation.

What is required? Mobilizing Resources Continue to build capacity among government and community rangers across snow leopard habitats in Northeast Afghanistan. Analysis of existing snow leopard monitoring data to enable more effective targeting of conservation interventions. Identification of further funding to support continued snow leopard conservation efforts.