Snow Leopards - Panthera uncia

The snow leopard (Panthera uncia) is one of the rarest and most elusive big cat species with a population of 4,500 to 7,500 spread across a range of 1.2 to 1.6 million kilometers in some of the world's harshest and most desolate landscapes. Found in arid environments and at elevations sometimes reaching 18,000 feet (5,500 meters), the species faces great threats despite its extreme habitat. 

These threats vary across its range, but in all countries where it is found — Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Nepal, Mongolia, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and possibly Myanmar — the species is at risk. In some countries snow leopard are directly hunted for their pelt, in others they are imperiled by depletion of prey, loss of habitat, and killing as a predator of livestock. 

These threats, combined with the cat's large habitat requirements, means conservation through the establishment of protected areas alone may not be enough save it from extinction in the wild in many of the countries in which it lives.

Source: http://news.mongabay.com/

Asian white-backed vulture- Gyps bengalensis – Critically Endangered

The Asian white-backed vulture has recently undergone a catastrophic population crash, which threatens the survival of this species. It is a medium-sized vulture, with the blunt talons and bare head that characterise this group of carrion-feeding birds. The wings are black, whilst the neck-ruff, rump and underwings are white. The bare head and neck are black and the bill is silver.

Family: ACCIPITRIDAE
Order: FALCONIFORMES
Class: AVES

Previously abundant throughout southern Asia, the white-backed vulture had all but disappeared from South East Asia by the mid-20th century In contrast, this vulture remained fairly common on the Indian subcontinent until the late 1990s when populations underwent sudden and catastrophic declines throughout the region, prompting the species to be upgraded to Critically Endangered.

The use of drug Diclofenac to cattle is the major reason for the gradual decline of this species. Though the drug is restricted to use in the veterinary field, it is widely availabe for anybody without any prescribtion from the authorities in India.

Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus)

Source: http://www.iucnredlist.org/

The Egyptian Vulture has a large range, including southern Europe, Africa, and central Asia to northern India and Nepal. Nevertheless, this species has been uplisted from Least Concern to Endangered on the 2007.

Red List following a very recent and extremely rapid population decline in India combined with severe long term declines in Europe (>50% over the last three generations) and West Africa, plus ongoing declines through much of the rest of its African range, owing to a variety of threats. Declines in parts of Africa are likely to have been driven by loss of wild ungulate populations and overgrazing in some areas by livestock. Disturbance, lead poisoning (from gun-shot) and collision with powerlines are currently impacting European populations.

In India, it appears that the veterinary drug Diclofenac is driving the recent rapid declines. The drug used in cattle which is directly affected while feeding them. In Morocco at least, the species is taken for use in traditional medicine. Photo © Bernard Castelein/naturepl.com

INDIAN ELEPHANT- Elephas maximus indicus

The Indian Elephant, Elephas maximus indicus, is one of four subspecies of the Asian Elephant, the largest population of which is found in India. This subspecies is also found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Laos, Peninsular Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Elephants face threat in terms of Poaching for Tusks, electrocution (live wire) by farmers who live in and around elephant habitats, Road& Rail Accidents & Poisoning.

The population especially the Tuskers is decling at an alarming rate. Urgent intervention to protect this magnificant creation is requested. 'PROJECT ELEPHANT' - Shall be effectivly implemented.

Royal Bengal Tiger - panthera tigris

Souruce:www.wpsi-india.org
Current Status of Tiger in India

India holds over half the world's tiger population. According to the latest tiger census report released on February 12, 2008 by the National Tiger Conservation Authority, the current tiger population stands at 1,411 (i.e. ranging between a minimum of 1,165 to a maximum of 1,657). The results include figures from 16 tiger states and are exclusive of Jharkhand and Sunderbans. The state of West Bengal was covered only partially (i.e. North Bengal) during the census.

The strategy for tiger conservation in India revolves around the National Tiger Conservation Authority and the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Between the mid 1970's and mid-1980's, many protected areas (66 national parks and 421 wildlife sanctuaries) were set aside, including large tracts of tiger habitat. They were later increased to 96 national parks, 510 wildlife sanctuaries and 3 conservation reserves and 2 community reserves. This resulted in an increase in tiger densities at many locations. Tragically, these conservation successes were short lived. Rampant poaching for the trade in tiger parts - all destined for markets outside India's borders - now threatens the tiger's very existence