A recent report entitled ‘Status of Leopards in India, 2018’ by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change disclosed a 60% surge in the leopard population in India since 2014.
Quantifying the 60% Leap in Leopard Numbers
In 2014, the leopard headcount was estimated at approximately 8,000. Fast forward to 2018, the population number rocketed to an impressive 12,852 demonstrating a noteworthy rise.
Regional Distribution of Leopard Populations
The states with the largest number of leopards are Madhya Pradesh (3,421), followed by Karnataka (1,783) and Maharashtra (1,690). Region-wise, Central India and Eastern Ghats host the most leopards at 8,071. Following that is Western Ghats with 3,387 leopards, Shivalik and Gangetic Plains with 1,253 leopards, and Northeast hills trailing with 141 leopards.
Dwindling Leopard Habitats: A Matter of Concern
Despite the encouraging statistics on leopard populations, the report carries a serious warning: the habitat area of leopards has been significantly diminishing over the past century.
Methods Employed in the Study
To obtain a reliable count of the leopard population, several techniques were employed including Camera Traps, Satellite Imaging and Fieldwork undertaken by the Wildlife Institute of India and National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
Scope for Broader Coverage
While leopards can be found in many places across the country, this particular study limited itself to forests inhabited by tigers under Project Tiger. The survey did not include non-forested regions like agricultural lands, tea and coffee plantations, and most areas of the North East.
Threats to the Leopard Population
Various threats put the leopard population at risk. These include forest fragmentation, declining quality of forests leading to habitat loss, human-leopard conflict, poaching, and dwindling of their natural prey base.
The Conservation Status of Leopards
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) categorizes leopards as ‘Vulnerable,’ while the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) places them under ‘Appendix I.’ This denotes that leopards are among the most threatened species. Moreover, they have absolute protection under Schedule 1 and part II of Schedule II of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, with any offenses against these attracting the highest penalties.
Role of the Wildlife Institute of India and National Tiger Conservation Authority
The Wildlife Institute of India (WII), an autonomous institution established in 1982, is under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Based in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, it offers training programs, academic courses, and advisory in wildlife research and management.
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), a statutory body under the same ministry, was established in 2005 following the Tiger Task Force’s recommendations. Constituted under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 amendments in 2006, the authority aims to strengthen tiger conservation within its powers and functions.
