STATUS OF LEOPARDS IN INDIA

Posted 15 Mar 2024

4 min read

Why in the news?

Recently, Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) released the ‘Status of Leopards in India, 2022’ Report.

Fifth cycle leopard population estimation (2022) was carried out by National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and Wildlife Institute of India (WII).
- It was in collaboration with State Forest Departments, as part of quadrennial “Monitoring of Tiger, Co-predators, prey and their habitat” exercise in tiger range States.

Genesis: It was established in 2005, following the recommendations of Tiger Task Force.
About: Statutory body under MoEFCC constituted under Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Objectives of NTCA:
- Providing statutory authority to Project Tiger so that compliance of its directives become legal.
- Addressing livelihood interests of local people in areas surrounding Tiger Reserves.
Power and Functions:
- Lay down standards for tourism activities and guidelines for project tiger in buffer and core area of tiger reserves and ensure their due compliance.
- Provide measures for addressing man- animal conflicts to emphasize on co-existence in forest areas outside National Parks, sanctuaries or tiger reserve.

Genesis: Established in 1982.
HQ: Dehradun
About: It is an autonomous institution of MoEFCC.
Mission: Nurture the development of Wildlife Science and promote its application in conservation, in consonance with our cultural and socio-economic milieu.
Mandate: Build capacity through training, education and research in field of wildlife conservation.

Leopard population: Estimated at 13,874 with a 1.08% per annum growth compared to 2018.
- Central India and Eastern Ghats registered largest growth, while Shivaliks and Gangetic plains registered decline in leopard population.
Regional distribution: Madhya Pradesh houses the largest population of leopards followed by Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
- Tiger Reserves with highest leopard population: Nagarajunasagar Srisailam (Andhra Pradesh and Telangana) followed by Panna and Satpura (Madhya Pradesh) tiger reserves.

Leopards occupy a prominent position in trophic pyramid alongside tigers, lions and dholes exhibiting adaptability in habitat and dietary preferences.
Leopards commanded great reverence in ancient cultures (Egyptian, African and Indian cultures), symbolizing traits of power, agility, and nobility.
Habitat Distribution: India, Nepal, Bhutan, and parts of Pakistan, excluding mangrove forests and deserts.
Importance of Leopard:
- Maintaining ecological balance of their mountain ecosystems.
- Regulate populations of their prey species, which in turn helps in harvesting medicinal plants, maintain healthy vegetation and prevent overgrazing.
- Major attraction for tourism, which helps to generate revenue for local communities.

Habitat Loss: Rapid human population growth intensifies pressure on land for agriculture, livestock grazing, and infrastructure development diminishing the forests and reducing the prey base for leopards.
Poaching: Leopards are highly valued for their fur, bones, and other body parts, which are used in traditional medicine and as luxury items. This led to illegal trade in leopard products.
Human-Wildlife Conflict: Human encroachment on leopard habitats sparks conflict as they prey on livestock, prompting retaliation by herders.
Climate Change such as melting glaciers, changing weather patterns, and altered vegetation growth, are affecting their habitats and prey populations.

International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA): Headquartered in India, it aims to strengthen global cooperation for conservation of seven big cat species (Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar and Puma) and their habitats.
- Except for Puma and Jaguar, India inhabits all five big cats.
World Wide Fund for Nature-India(WWF-India): WWF-India studies leopard populations in Protected Areas and their movement through wildlife corridors. They support anti-poaching action, manage conflicts and promote leopard conservation awareness.
SECURE Himalaya project: A landscape based approach for the conservation and protection of the high-altitude ecosystems of the Himalayas.
- It is a joint project of MoEFCC and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), funded by Global Environment Facility (GEF).