Highways, transmission lines and infrastructure networks are bringing snow leopards closer and closer to human settlements.
The construction of new roads, highways, transmission lines and infrastructure networks is bringing humans and Pakistan’s iconic snow leopards dangerously close together, the World Wildlife Fund has warned on International Snow Leopard Day.
In a statement, WWF-Pakistan highlighted that development projects are reducing the distance between the two, creating new challenges for the survival of endangered species.
The proliferation of highways, power lines and infrastructure networks are increasingly pushing snow leopards into human settlements, increasing the risk of conflict and threatening their long-term survival.
According to WWF-Pakistan, the country’s first-ever road ecology study has revealed that road infrastructure fragments the snow leopard’s natural habitats.
Construction activities and road widening are disrupting their movements, while heavy traffic along the Karakoram Highway has caused noise and air pollution that could affect wildlife breeding and migration, particularly in Khunjerab National Park.
The study also noted that road expansion also affects populations of other mountain species, such as ibex and blue sheep.
As World Snow Leopard Day approaches, meet the mountain ghost in this tale from our series #WildLegendsofPakistan.
In the folklore of mountain communities, the snow leopard is considered a guardian spirit, a protector of the sacred highlands and a symbol of strength,… pic.twitter.com/NUmnWLdmtU
– WWF-Pakistan (@WWFPak) October 21, 2025
WWF-Pakistan, which has been working on snow leopard conservation since the 1990s, has deployed AI-powered cameras in key hotspots to monitor wildlife activity.
These smart cameras provide real-time data that can also be used to protect livestock and reduce human-wildlife conflict. The system, introduced in early 2025, demonstrated high accuracy in detecting species, providing a promising tool for their coexistence.
Additionally, WWF-Pakistan has introduced a technology called SMART (Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool) in collaboration with the wildlife departments of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan.
This software supports standardized patrol protocols, real-time data collection and monitoring of snow leopard movements, illegal hunting, disease outbreaks and other threats.
Rab Nawaz, senior program director at WWF-Pakistan, highlighted that while roads play a crucial role in community connectivity and regional development, they can also pose serious risks to mountain wildlife if not designed responsibly.
“Through smart technology, we are assessing the status of the snow leopard population. Integrating artificial intelligence and real-time monitoring will be key to transforming potential human-wildlife conflicts into opportunities for coexistence,” he said.
He stressed the urgency of ensuring that human development does not come at the expense of the survival of this rare and magnificent species.
