A recent survey by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) reveals a stable leopard population in India, with an estimated 13,874 individuals in 2023 compared to 12,852 in 2018.
Madhya Pradesh leads the nation with 3,907 leopards, followed by Maharashtra (1,985), Karnataka (1,879), and Tamil Nadu (1,070).
The survey highlights the crucial role of protected areas in leopard conservation and identifies the need for improved management of landscapes outside these zones.
Key Findings:
- The leopard population has shown a promising increase of over 1,000 individuals in five years.
- Camera trapping, habitat analysis, and advanced modeling techniques provided valuable data on leopard distribution and potential threats.
- Human-wildlife conflict is a growing concern, particularly in areas like Pune and Nashik where leopards have ventured outside protected zones.
Challenges and Recommendations:
- Habitat loss, poaching, and conflict with humans remain significant threats to leopard conservation.
- Expanding conservation efforts beyond protected areas is crucial to addressing human-wildlife conflict and ensuring long-term leopard survival.
- Community engagement and awareness programs can help promote coexistence between humans and leopards.
Additional Information:
The survey emphasizes the importance of corridors connecting protected areas to facilitate leopard movement and reduce conflict.
Further research is needed to understand the factors driving human-wildlife conflict in different regions.