Dolakha, June 5

A snow leopard was spotted for the first time in the forest of Gaurishankar Conservation Area in Dolakha.

An automatic camera installed at Lapchhi valley of Bigu Rural Municipality under the conservation area captured the picture of the snow leopard.

The picture was made public at a programme organised in the rural municipality on the occasion of World Environment Day today.

An investigation was being carried out since 2018 with infrared cameras placed in 11 places of Lapchhi valley. Chief at the conservation area Satya Narayan Sah said that as many as three pictures were recorded from the sea level to 4,087 metres height.

Narayan Prasad Koju, who was involved in the investigation, said the camera had captured the snow leopard at a place five kilometres southwest of Lapchhi and seven kilometres from the main monastery.

He said that three pictures were kept safe in the camera.

He added that the camera had also captured a golden cat in the same place.

The snow leopard is only found in central Asia and the Himalayan ranges. International Union for Conservation of Nature has listed the snow leopard in the red list.