Culture

India’s leopard population rises to 13,874: report

Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav on Thursday released a report which said that the country’s leopard population has risen to 13,874 (Range: 12,616 – 15,132).

“Central India shows a stable or slightly growing population of leopards (2018: 8071, 2022: 8820), Shivalik hills and Gangetic plains experienced decline (2018: 1253, 2022: 1109),” said the report, titled ‘Status of Leopards’.

It said that if we look at the area which was sampled both in 2018 and 2022 across India, there is a 1.08 per cent per annum growth.

“In Shivalik hills and Gangetic plains, there is a -3.4 per cent decline per annum, while the largest growth rate was in Central India and Eastern Ghats of 1.5 per cent,” the report said.

Madhya Pradesh houses the largest population of leopards in the country — 3907 (2018: 3421), followed by Maharashtra (2022: 1985; 2018: 1,690), Karnataka (2022: 1,879 ; 2018: 1,783) and Tamil Nadu (2022: 1,070; 2018: 868).

Tiger Reserves or sites with highest leopard population are, Nagarajunasagar Srisailam (Andhra Pradesh), followed by Panna (Madhya Pradesh), and Satpura (Madhya Pradesh).

The report said that the fifth cycle of leopard population estimation (2022) in India focused on forested habitats within 18 tiger states, covering four major tiger conservation landscapes.

This cycle conducted a foot survey spanning 6,41,449 km to estimate carnivore signs and prey abundance. Camera traps were strategically placed at 32,803 locations, resulting in a total of 4,70,81,881 photographs, resulting in 85,488 photo-captures of leopard.

The findings underscore the critical role of Protected Areas in conserving leopard populations.

‘Project Tiger’s conservation legacy expands beyond tigers, evident in the leopard status report, showcasing broader species protection efforts.

IANS

Recent Posts

“Indian Armed Forces displayed valour and bravery, scripted new history”: Rajnath Singh lauds Operation Sindoor

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Wednesday that the Indian Armed Forces displayed their valour…

11 minutes ago

Ajit Doval speaks with Rubio, NSAs from several other countries after Operation Sindoor; says India’s action measured, non-escalatory

Soon after the focused strikes on terrorists and terrorist infrastructure at nine sites in Pakistan…

2 hours ago

“Very proud of the operation; name is inspiring, to the point”: Israel envoy hails Operation Sindoor

Consul General of Israel at Mumbai, Kobbi Shoshani, on Wednesday hailed 'Operation Sindoor' which was…

3 hours ago

PM Modi meets President Murmu, briefs her on Operation Sindoor

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday and briefed her on Operation…

3 hours ago

Amit Shah calls meeting with Chief Ministers of various states

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday held a meeting with the Chief Ministers and…

3 hours ago

IndiGo cancels flights to eleven cities due to airport closures following Op Sindoor

The budget airline carrier IndiGo on Wednesday cancelled its flight operations in 11 cities across…

3 hours ago