India’s Leopard Population Remains Steady At 13,874; Decline Noted In Shivalik Hills

The latest report on the number of leopards in India released by Indian Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav shows that the number of leopards in India has stabilized at 13,874 individuals, compared to 12,852 individuals in 2018. The report is part of the fifth leopard forecast conducted by India’s Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav. The National Tiger Conservation Authority and the Wildlife Research Institute cover 70 percent of the leopard population in four districts in key defense zones in India’s 18 warring states.

According to the report, the number of leopards in Central India is estimated to remain stable or show a slight increase; Compared to 2017, there are 8,820 leopards in Central India. In 2018 there were 8,071 people, with an annual growth rate of 1.5%. However, there was a decline in leopard numbers in the Shivalik Hills and Gangetic Plains; The number of leopards was 1,109 compared to 1,253 in 2018; This represents an annual decline of 3.4%.

The report also highlights the conflict between humans and leopards, as well as threats to leopards outside protected areas. The Minister of Environment emphasized the importance of government agencies, NGOs and local communities working together on conservation efforts to solve these problems.

Madhya Pradesh has the highest number of leopards at 3,907, followed by Maharashtra (1,985), Karnataka (1,879) and Tamil Nadu (1,070). Among protected areas, Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve in Andhra Pradesh has the highest tiger density, followed by Panna and Satpura reserves in Madhya Pradesh.

However, 30% of the leopard’s habitat, including non-forested areas, dry areas and highlands in the Himalayas, is unexplored and in need of protection. The report emphasizes the importance of protected areas in protecting leopards throughout the region.

The Prime Minister praised the conservation work of Project Tiger and highlighted its wider impact on non-tiger conservation. He talked about the poor work of the Ministry of Forestry and talked about the integration of Project Tiger, which focuses on the interaction of ecosystems and conservation of different species.