SECURE Himalaya Project UPSC Notes: Objectives & Achievements

SECURE stands for Securing Livelihoods, Conservation, Sustainable Use, and Restoration of High Range Himalayan Ecosystems. The SECURE Himalaya project is a component of the "Global Partnership on Wildlife Conservation and Crime Prevention for Sustainable Development" (Global Wildlife Program), funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). It focuses on promoting sustainable management of alpine pastures and forests in the high-range Himalayan ecosystems. The goal is to ensure the conservation of globally significant wildlife, including the endangered snow leopard and their habitats. This effort aims to secure sustainable livelihoods and socio-economic benefits for communities residing in selected high-altitude landscapes in the Trans- and Greater Himalayan regions. 

This article on SECURE Himalaya Project UPSC shares details on objectives, key components, achievements, and states implementing this project. The UPSC Exams include a section on government schemes. Government schemes have retained their prominence in UPSC Exams, with questions on such topics being asked in both the preliminary and main examinations.

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About Secure Himalaya Project

Secure Himalaya Project is a comprehensive initiative aimed at ensuring the security and sustainable development of the Himalayan region. It focuses on addressing various challenges such as border security, environmental conservation, disaster management, and socio-economic development in the Himalayan states.

Objectives of the SECURE Himalaya Project

The project encourages long-term management of alpine pastures and forests in high-altitude Himalayan ecosystems to ensure the conservation of globally important wildlife, such as the endangered snow leopard, and their habitats, as well as sustainable livelihoods and cultural benefits for communities in the Trans- and Greater Himalayan regions.

It supports the Global Snow Leopard Ecosystem Protection Program (GSLEP), a collaborative effort by 12 range country governments, international organizations, democratic institutions, and the commercial sector.

Learn more about the National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE)!

Key components of the Project

• The project was launched against a backdrop of increasing loss of habitat, regional segmentation, and unprepared infrastructure, all of which are compounded by local communities’ because of significant reliance on natural resources.
• The Global Environment Facility (GEF) is financing the SECURE Himalaya initiative, which is part of the “Global Partnership on Wildlife Conservation and Crime Prevention for Sustainable Development” (Global Wildlife Program).
• To ensure long-term ecosystem resilience, habitat connectivity, and protection of snow leopards and other endangered species and their habitats, critical biodiversity regions must be conserved and effectively managed.
• Ensure long-term community livelihoods and effective natural resource management Ecosystems in the Himalayas
• Improving law enforcement, monitoring, and collaboration to eliminate wildlife crime and threats
• Established knowledge, awareness, engagement, and technology infrastructure.

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Snow Leopard

• The “Secure Himalaya” project aimed to maintain snow leopard habitats while also improving the ecosystem of Himalayan ranges and the lives of mountain populations, all of which are among the hardest affected by climate change.
• Project Snow Leopard (PSL) was established in 2009 to encourage an open and inclusive approach to snow leopard conservation and habitat preservation.
• Snow Leopards are found in Central and South Asian mountain ranges.
• The IUCN Red List classifies it as Vulnerable.
• By 2040, the global population is expected to be less than 10,000 adults, a decline of nearly 10%.

First Snow Leopard Survey

• To commemorate International Snow Leopard Day, On 23rd October the Indian government launched the First National Protocol on Snow Leopard Population Assessment .
• Scientists in collaboration with the Snow Leopard States/UTs of Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh developed the nation’s first National Snow Leopard Survey.
• Technology like video traps and scientific surveys will aid in the estimation of populations.

Global Snow Leopard & Ecosystem Protection (GSLEP) Program

• The Bishkek Declaration, which established the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection (GSLEP) Program in 2013, set a target of safeguarding at least 20 snow leopard landscapes with sustainable snow leopard populations by 2020.
• Since then, the 23rd of October has been designated as International Snow Leopard Day.
• The GSLEP is a high-level inter-governmental partnership that includes all 12 snow leopard territory nations
• India, Nepal, Bhutan, China, Mongolia, Russia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan are among the nations that have snow leopards.
• It emphasizes the importance of raising awareness and knowledge of the Snow Leopard’s ecological importance.
• GSLEP 2019 was hosted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change in New Delhi.
• The GSLEP Steering Committee is currently being chaired by Nepal and co-chaired by Kyrgyzstan.

Learn more about the Himalayan Yak!

SECURE Himalaya Project implementation by States

There are 4 states implementing the project. It spans Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Jammu & Kashmir, and Himachal Pradesh, and covers the upper Himalayan Ecosystem.

Achievements of the SECURE Himalaya Project

• The Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India (SPAI) was launched in order to accurately assess the population of Snow Leopards in India.
• 2,000 frontline forest employees and community people were trained in wild habitat monitoring;
• 1,000 women and youth gained new skills in areas such as adventure and nature-based tourism.
• SECURE Himalaya Hackathon encourages young involvement and inventiveness in the development of technology-based conservation solutions.
• Created a Virtual Reality experience to raise awareness of the relevance of snow leopards among the general public and urge policy efforts aimed at their conservation.

Learn more about the Himalayan Ibex!

Way Forward

The SECURE Himalaya prioritizes protecting people’s livelihoods because the extreme vastness and seclusion of mountain communities (including tribes) have made them the final keepers of their diverse culture and local knowledge with global implications.

To combat the illegal trade in medicinal and aromatic plants in these areas, the implementation of stricter surveillance and regulations is the need of the hour.

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