Why in the news?

  • India today marked International Snow Leopard Day with a special campaign titled ‘#23for23’.

‘#23for23’ Initiative

  • What is it?: The ‘#23for23’ initiative was launched by the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Programme (GSLEP) in collaboration with the Snow Leopard Trust and the Government of India to commemorate International Snow Leopard Day 2025.
  • Concept and Symbolism:
    • The number ‘23’ symbolises 23 October, the day when the Bishkek Declaration was adopted in 2013 by 12 snow leopard range countries, marking a global commitment to snow leopard and mountain ecosystem conservation.
    • The 23 minutes of activity serve as a metaphor for human effort and mindfulness toward sustainable coexistence with nature.​
    • The campaign’s tagline “Move for the Mountain Ghost” links citizen participation with the elusive presence of the snow leopard, often referred to as “the Ghost of the Mountains.”
  • Organizing Bodies:
    • Lead Organisation: Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Programme (GSLEP)
    • Indian Host Partner: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)
    • Collaborating NGOs: Snow Leopard Trust, WWF-India, Snow Leopard Conservancy, and national wildlife institutions.
  • Objectives:
    • Enhance Public Participation: Promote awareness of snow leopard conservation through citizen engagement activities.
    • Promote Healthy Living: Link fitness and wellness with environmental responsibility.
    • Highlight Ecosystem Fragility: Focus public attention on the high-altitude Himalayan ecosystems threatened by climate change and habitat degradation.
    • Support Research and Monitoring: Complement long-term India Snow Leopard Census and community-based conservation programs.
    • Encourage Collaboration: Foster collective action among the 12 range countries under the Bishkek Declaration framework.
  • Significance:
    • People-Centric Conservation: Engages the public through simple physical activities tied to environmental awareness.
    • Symbol of Ecological Balance: Demonstrates how protecting apex predators safeguards entire mountain ecosystems.
    • Global Solidarity: Reinforces cooperation among the 12 range countries under GSLEP.
    • Behavioral Change Tool: Encourages individuals to translate awareness into long-term sustainable behavior.