The forest department, with the support of the Kinnaur district administration, rescued a snow leopard (Panthera uncia) that had fallen into the filter inlet channel of the Sanjay Jal Vidyut Pariyojana (120 MW) at Bhabhanagar, officials said on Saturday. Forest officials said snow leopards are usually found only in high, snow-covered mountains. Their presence in Kinnaur was not recorded earlier, they said.
According to the Kinnaur forest division, upon being informed, a rapid rescue team from the Rampur forest division reached the site for technical assistance. The Shimla wildlife division provided expert guidance and the Bhabhanagar fire department and other local agencies assisted with equipment and logistics.
The fire brigade team’s initial effort to rescue the snow leopard from the dam using a ladder was unsuccessful. Forest officials then used local techniques and safely rescued the animal without any equipment or injury. The snow leopard headed back into the forest after being rescued.
Snow leopards are typically found in the dry trans-Himalayan zones such as the Hangrang Valley. Their presence in the mid-wet zone of the Bhaba Valley marks a significant ecological expansion, indicating strong habitat connectivity and a positive trend in biodiversity health.