What is Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF)? Daily Current Affairs

Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF).

Why in News? The snow leopard population has changed drastically from 51 (2021) to 83 (2023), including cubs.
• The survey was conducted by the Wildlife Wing of the Forest Department of Himachal Pradesh.
• Announced on the last day of Wildlife Week after the second complete population estimation had concluded.
Survey Details:
• First Statewide Assessment: Conducted from 2018–2021, included 51 snow leopards.
• Second Survey: Completed within one year, in partnership with Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF).
• Himachal is the first state in the country to conduct such a population estimation of this elusive species.
Methodology:
• Camera traps (271 cameras) were used and set up across 26,000 sq km habitats.
• Focal areas included Spiti Valley, Kinnaur, Lahaul, Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP).
• 44 independent snow leopards were identified 262 times.
• Population was estimated at 73-103 snow leopards (average 83).
Key Findings:
• Highest density recorded was in Spiti Valley, followed by Upper Kinnaur, followed by Tabo.
• First official sighting of Pallas’s cat (Otocolobus manul) in Kinnaur.
• Rediscovery of Woolly Flying Squirrel (Eupetaurus cinereus) in Lahaul.
Protected Areas with detections:
• Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary
• Pin Valley National Park
• Great Himalayan National Park
• Sechu Tuan Nala Wildlife Sanctuary
• Rakchham Chitkul Sanctuary
• Asrang Wildlife Sanctuary
Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary (Himachal Pradesh, Spiti Valley):
• High-altitude cold desert ecosystem; Wildlife highlights include Snow Leopard, Ibex and close to the Spiti river.
Pin Valley National Park (Himachal Pradesh, Spiti):
• Trans-Himalayan park lying in the Pin River valley; highlights include Snow Leopard, Blue Sheep (Bharal).
Great Himalayan National Park (Kullu, Himachal Pradesh) –:
• Western Himalaya; known for Himalayan Tahr, Musk Deer; drained by Tirthan, Sainj and Jiwa rivers.
Sechu Tuan Nala Wildlife Sanctuary (Chamba, Himachal Pradesh) –:
• Alpine meadows and forests; Wildlife includes Himalayan Black Bear, Goral; watered by tributaries to Ravi River.
Rakchham Chitkul Sanctuary (Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh) –:
• Along the valley of Baspa; Wildlife includes Snow Leopard, Ibex.
Asrang Wildlife Sanctuary (Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh):
• Dry alpine region; Wildlife includes Blue Sheep, Himalayan Wolf; drained by tributaries to the River Sutlej.
About Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF):
Established: 1996, Mysuru (Karnataka).
Type: Non-profit wildlife conservation & research organization, India.
Focus Areas:
• Wildlife research and conservation all over India – from the coral reefs of Lakshadweep to the high Himalayas.
• Works on snow leopard conservation in Himachal, Ladakh, Arunachal.
• Nature conservation education and community participatory programs.
• Protection of endangered species from rainforests in Western Ghats (Hornbills, Elephants, Leopards) and restoration.
• State Forest Departments, local communities.