NEW DELHI: India’s leopard population has shown an increase, rising from 12,852 in 2018 to 13,874 in 2022, according to the “Status of Leopards in India” report launched by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Thursday. However, the number of these rosetted felines experienced a slight decline in the Shivalik hills and the Indo-Gangetic Plains.
The report highlighted that Madhya Pradesh has the highest number of leopards in the country, with 3,907, up from 3,421 in 2018. Other states also saw growth, with Maharashtra’s leopard count increasing from 1,690 in 2018 to 1,985 in 2022, Karnataka from 1,783 to 1,879, and Tamil Nadu from 868 to 1,070.
The ministry stated, “Central India shows a stable or slightly growing leopard population (8,820 in 2022 against 8,071 in 2018), the Shivalik hills and the Indo-Gangetic Plains experienced a decline (from 1,253 in 2018 to 1,109 in 2022).”
Analyzing the sampled areas in 2018 and 2022, the report revealed a 1.08% annual growth. The Shivalik hills and the Gangetic plains showed a 3.4% decline per annum, while the largest growth rate was observed in central India and the Eastern Ghats at 1.5%.
Tiger reserves with the highest leopard populations were identified as Nagarjunasagar Srisailam (Andhra Pradesh), Panna (Madhya Pradesh), and Satpura (Madhya Pradesh).
The study, the fifth cycle of leopard population estimation in India, focused on forested habitats within 18 tiger states, covering four major tiger conservation landscapes. It included a foot survey spanning 6,41,449 km and strategically placed camera traps at 32,803 locations, resulting in 85,488 photo-captures of leopards.
The findings emphasized the importance of protected areas in conserving leopard populations, with tiger reserves serving as crucial strongholds. Addressing conservation gaps outside protected areas is vital, especially considering the rising incidents of conflict. The report stressed collaborative efforts involving government agencies, conservation organizations, and local communities to enhance habitat protection and mitigate human-wildlife conflict.
Minister Yadav underscored the commitment to conservation beyond protected areas and highlighted the need for collaborative efforts to ensure the coexistence of leopards and communities.
The report highlighted that Madhya Pradesh has the highest number of leopards in the country, with 3,907, up from 3,421 in 2018. Other states also saw growth, with Maharashtra’s leopard count increasing from 1,690 in 2018 to 1,985 in 2022, Karnataka from 1,783 to 1,879, and Tamil Nadu from 868 to 1,070.
The ministry stated, “Central India shows a stable or slightly growing leopard population (8,820 in 2022 against 8,071 in 2018), the Shivalik hills and the Indo-Gangetic Plains experienced a decline (from 1,253 in 2018 to 1,109 in 2022).”
Analyzing the sampled areas in 2018 and 2022, the report revealed a 1.08% annual growth. The Shivalik hills and the Gangetic plains showed a 3.4% decline per annum, while the largest growth rate was observed in central India and the Eastern Ghats at 1.5%.
Tiger reserves with the highest leopard populations were identified as Nagarjunasagar Srisailam (Andhra Pradesh), Panna (Madhya Pradesh), and Satpura (Madhya Pradesh).
The study, the fifth cycle of leopard population estimation in India, focused on forested habitats within 18 tiger states, covering four major tiger conservation landscapes. It included a foot survey spanning 6,41,449 km and strategically placed camera traps at 32,803 locations, resulting in 85,488 photo-captures of leopards.
The findings emphasized the importance of protected areas in conserving leopard populations, with tiger reserves serving as crucial strongholds. Addressing conservation gaps outside protected areas is vital, especially considering the rising incidents of conflict. The report stressed collaborative efforts involving government agencies, conservation organizations, and local communities to enhance habitat protection and mitigate human-wildlife conflict.
Minister Yadav underscored the commitment to conservation beyond protected areas and highlighted the need for collaborative efforts to ensure the coexistence of leopards and communities.
