Asia

Indian women work to protect snow leopard population

In a display of determination, local women endure freezing temperatures to tally and protect a predator that was previously perceived as a menace in their communities.

India's remote and frigid regions are home to a unique initiative, where a group of women have assumed responsibility for safeguarding the snow leopard, a notoriously elusive predator found in Asia.

Five women wearing winter jackets look into the camera. They are standing in front of snow-covered peaks. — These women work with the local forest department to track and protect the snow leopard species

The snow leopard's habitat spans 12 countries in Central and South Asia, with India boasting one of the largest populations globally. A nationwide survey conducted in 2023, marking the first comprehensive count in the country, estimated that India is home to over 700 snow leopards.

The Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh state, a high-altitude cold desert situated along the Himalayan belt, is one of the areas where snow leopards are known to roam. Locals in Kibber village refer to these animals as the "ghosts of the mountains" due to their ability to move undetected across rocky terrain, rarely making themselves visible.

Historically, snow leopards were perceived as a menace in the region due to their attacks on livestock. However, the mindset of residents in Kibber and surrounding villages is undergoing a change, as they increasingly acknowledge the significance of snow leopards as apex predators in maintaining the delicate balance of the mountain ecosystem.

Approximately a dozen women from local communities are collaborating with the Himachal Pradesh forest department and conservation experts to monitor and protect snow leopards, thereby contributing to the conservation efforts and playing an increasingly important role in the process.

In their local community, the snow leopard is referred to as Shen, and a group of women, calling themselves "Shenmo", have been trained to set up and monitor camera traps. These devices, equipped with distinct identifiers and memory cards, capture photographs of snow leopards as they pass by, providing valuable insights.

According to Lobzang Yangchen, a local coordinator who works with a small group supported by the non-profit Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF) and the forest department, the women's involvement in camera trap installation was a natural progression. Yangchen notes that previously, men would undertake this task, prompting the women to question why they couldn't participate as well.

Yangchen was part of the team that contributed to the 2024 snow leopard survey in Himachal Pradesh, which revealed a notable increase in the state's snow leopard population. The survey found that the number of snow leopards had risen to 83, up from 51 in 2021.

The 2024 survey utilized camera traps to document snow leopards and 43 other species across a vast area of approximately 26,000 square kilometers (10,000 square miles). To identify individual snow leopards, researchers relied on the unique rosette patterns on their fur, a commonly used method for tracking spotted big cats. The survey's findings are now being incorporated into broader conservation and habitat management initiatives.

A snow leopard looks into the camera — Snow leopards are often called the "ghosts of the mountains" because they are so hard to spot

Goldy Chhabra, deputy conservator of forests with the Spiti Wildlife Division, emphasizes the significance of the women's role in the survey, stating that their efforts were instrumental in identifying individual snow leopards, a crucial aspect of the conservation process.

The process of gathering data is a challenging undertaking. During the winter months, when snowfall is heavy, snow leopards and their prey are forced to descend to lower elevations, making it easier to monitor their movements.

On days when surveys are conducted, the women begin their day early, completing their domestic responsibilities before convening at a base camp. From there, they travel by vehicle as far as the rugged terrain permits, then embark on a trek of several kilometres to reach the camera sites, which are often situated at elevations exceeding 14,000ft (4,300m), where the high altitude exacerbates physical exertion.

In December, the BBC joined the group on a trek to observe their data collection methods. Following an extended period of walking in freezing temperatures, the women halted abruptly on a narrow path.

Yangchen identifies recent snow leopard activity, indicated by pugmarks visible in the dust, and notes, "The presence of these fresh pugmarks suggests that a snow leopard has been in this area recently."

In addition to pugmarks, the team searches for other indicators, such as scrapes and scent-marking sites, and then meticulously installs a camera on a rock along the trail.

A woman wearing a black and red scarf writes something in her notebook and a camera trap is placed in front of her. — The women set up cameras with unique IDs and memory cards, which capture an image of a snow leopard as soon as it passes through

To ensure optimal camera placement, a team member conducts a "walk test" by crawling along the designated path, verifying that the camera's positioning will yield a clear image.

The team proceeds to visit previously installed camera sites, collecting memory cards and swapping out batteries that have been in place for several weeks.

As the day wears on, the group returns to their camp to review and analyse the collected images using specialised software, a task that requires skills many of them had not previously acquired.

Chhering Lanzom, who has a fifth-grade education, admits to initial hesitation when using computers, saying, "I was scared at first, but we gradually learned to navigate the keyboard and mouse."

The women's involvement in the camera-trapping programme began in 2023, driven initially by the need for alternative activities during the long, quiet winters in the Spiti Valley, where agricultural work is scarce.

Initially, Lobzang and others were not drawn to the snow leopard project, but their curiosity and the prospect of earning some income led them to participate.

The daily earnings for the women range from 500 to 700 rupees, equivalent to approximately $5.46 or £4.

The project has had a profound impact on the community's perception of snow leopards, extending beyond the financial benefits.

According to Dolma Zangmo, a local resident, the community's attitude towards snow leopards has undergone a significant shift, from viewing them as a threat to recognizing the importance of conservation.

A woman looks at a computer screen which has a grab of a leopard. — Images captured by the camera traps are analysed using a special software

In addition to conducting surveys, the women assist villagers in accessing government-backed insurance programs for their livestock and encourage the use of secure enclosures, such as stone or mesh corrals, to safeguard animals from predators at night.

The region is gaining increased attention, with the Spiti Valley's recent inclusion in the Unesco-recognised Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve, which seeks to balance ecosystem conservation with the needs of local communities.

Climate change is altering the delicate ecosystem of the trans-Himalayan region, and conservationists emphasize that community involvement will be essential for protecting vulnerable species, such as the snow leopard.

According to Deepshikha Sharma, programme manager of the High Altitudes initiative at NCF, community participation is key to making conservation efforts more effective and long-lasting.

Sharma notes that the women's role in conservation extends beyond assistance, as they are developing skills to monitor and conserve wildlife, becoming integral practitioners in the field.

For the women involved, their conservation work fosters a deeper connection to their native village, the surrounding mountains, and their homeland, they report.

For Lobzang, the region is home, and the presence of snow leopards is a fact of life. Despite acknowledging the risks associated with these predatory animals, Lobzang and others like him have a deep connection to the area and consider it their rightful place.

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Austin expresses concern for his family's well-being, stating that he is unsure of their current condition, which is causing him significant distress.

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Australian opposition leader faces pressure after key staff member quits

The departure of a high-ranking colleague has created an opportunity for a potential challenge to Sussan Ley, who holds the distinction of being the first female leader of the Liberal party.

Sussan Ley, the first female leader of the Liberal Party, is facing renewed scrutiny following the departure of Angus Taylor, her shadow defence minister, from the party's leadership team.

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Taylor's resignation is expected to pave the way for a potential challenge to Ley's leadership, with local media outlets suggesting he has been quietly working to unseat her for some time.

Ley's tenure has been marked by struggles, including a narrow victory over Taylor in a leadership contest last year, which was held in the aftermath of the party's worst-ever electoral performance.

The Liberal-National coalition, a partnership that dates back to the 1940s, has experienced significant instability under Ley's leadership, having split and reunited twice during her tenure.

On Wednesday, Taylor, a member of the party's conservative faction, announced his resignation from the leadership team, citing his commitment to continuing to serve the Liberal Party.

In a statement to reporters, Taylor expressed his disappointment with the party's inability to hold the current Labor government accountable, emphasizing the need to protect Australians' way of life and restore their standard of living.

Taylor stated that he does not believe Ley is capable of leading the party effectively, citing the need for a change in leadership.

It remains to be seen whether Taylor's allies within the shadow cabinet will follow his lead and resign from their positions.

Local media reports suggest that Taylor's supporters are planning to request a special party meeting to consider a spill motion, which would allow the party to reconsider its leadership.

If Taylor were to succeed in his bid for leadership, it would bring an end to the ongoing speculation surrounding Ley's tenure, which has been marred by uncertainty.

The coalition's most recent split, which occurred in January, was followed by a reunification just days ago, after a dispute over hate speech laws, which Ley had supported in the wake of the Bondi Beach attack in December.

At the time of the initial split, Nationals leader David Littleproud explicitly stated that his party could not continue to serve in a shadow cabinet under Ley's leadership.

Recent polling data has shown the One Nation party, which secured 6% of the national vote in the previous election, surpassing the Coalition to take second place behind Labor, while Ley's personal approval ratings remain low.

The coalition has yet to reach a consensus on the factors that contributed to its decisive election loss to Labor, which saw the Liberals suffer significant losses in major cities.

In the aftermath of the election, the coalition briefly split over disagreements on climate and energy policy, including its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, a policy that the Liberals later abandoned under pressure from the Nationals and their own right-wing faction.

The Nationals, which have a strong presence in rural areas and tend to lean more conservative than the Liberals, have been pushed further to the right in response to the surge in support for the One Nation party, according to political analysts, who note that this shift may hinder the Liberals' ability to appeal to centrist voters in urban areas.

Asia

India sets 3-hour deadline for social media firms to remove illegal content

Concerns have been raised that the regulations may pose a difficulty for tech companies in terms of compliance and potentially lead to increased censorship.

In a significant update to its existing regulations, India has implemented new rules requiring social media companies to delete unlawful content within a three-hour window after being notified, a substantial reduction from the previous 36-hour timeframe.

A man stands on the right side of the frame, holding a mobile phone to his ear. He is wearing a light-coloured short-sleeved shirt and dark trousers and appears to be looking ahead while speaking. Behind him is an illustrated wall showing the outline of India filled with oversized social media and tech logos, including YouTube, Google, Gmail, WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Yahoo and Google Drive. — India has taken several steps in recent years to tighten oversight of online speech

These revised guidelines, set to come into effect on February 20, will apply to prominent platforms such as Meta, YouTube, and X, as well as content generated using artificial intelligence.

The government has not provided a specific reason for shortening the deadline for removing objectionable content.

Critics, however, are concerned that this move may be part of a broader effort to increase oversight of online content, potentially leading to censorship in a country with over a billion internet users, which is the world's largest democracy.

In the past, Indian authorities have utilized existing Information Technology rules to direct social media platforms to remove content deemed illegal under laws related to national security and public order, granting them broad authority over online content.

According to transparency reports, Indian authorities requested the removal of more than 28,000 URLs or web links in 2024, which were subsequently blocked.

The BBC has sought comment from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology regarding the latest amendments, while Meta has declined to comment; the BBC has also reached out to X and Google, the owner of YouTube, for their response.

The updated regulations also introduce new guidelines for AI-generated content, marking a significant development in the country's approach to regulating online material.

For the first time, Indian law defines AI-generated content, including audio and video that has been created or altered to appear realistic, such as deepfakes, while excluding ordinary editing, accessibility features, and genuine educational or design work.

Platforms that allow users to create or share AI-generated content must clearly label it, and where possible, add permanent markers to facilitate tracing its origin.

Once labels are added to AI-generated content, companies will not be permitted to remove them; furthermore, they must utilize automated tools to detect and prevent the dissemination of illegal AI content, including deceptive or non-consensual material.

Technology experts and digital rights groups have expressed concerns regarding the feasibility and implications of the new regulations.

The Internet Freedom Foundation has stated that the shortened timeline will effectively transform platforms into "rapid fire censors," highlighting the potential risks associated with the updated rules.

The group has argued that the extremely short deadlines will eliminate the possibility of meaningful human review, forcing platforms to rely on automated removals, which may lead to over-removal of content.

Anushka Jain, a research associate at the Digital Futures Lab, has welcomed the requirement for labeling AI-generated content, suggesting that it could enhance transparency; however, she has also cautioned that the three-hour deadline may push companies towards complete automation.

Jain has noted that companies are already struggling to comply with the 36-hour deadline due to the need for human oversight, and that a fully automated process may result in the censorship of legitimate content.

Prasanto K Roy, a Delhi-based technology analyst, has described the new regulations as "perhaps the most extreme takedown regime in any democracy," highlighting the challenges associated with compliance.

Roy has stated that meeting the new requirements will be "nearly impossible" without extensive automation and minimal human oversight, as the tight deadline leaves little room for assessing the legitimacy of removal requests.

Regarding the labeling of AI-generated content, Roy has acknowledged the positive intention behind the regulation but has also noted that reliable and tamper-proof labeling technologies are still in development.

The BBC has requested a response from the Indian government regarding the concerns raised by technology experts and digital rights groups.