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STATUS OF LEOPARDS IN INDIA REPORT 2022

STATUS OF LEOPARDS IN INDIA REPORT 2022

1. Context

Recently, The Union Environment Ministry released the 'Status of Leopards in India, 2022' report, indicating a rise in the leopard population in India. It estimates the current leopard population to be around 13,874, an increase from the 12,852 recorded in 2018.

2. About Leopard

The leopard (Panthera pardus) is a large, solitary cat native to Africa and parts of Asia. It is one of the five extant species in the genus Panthera, which also includes the lion, tiger, jaguar, and snow leopard. Leopards are known for their distinctive spotted coat, which provides excellent camouflage in their forested habitats.
Leopards are highly adaptable and can be found in a variety of habitats, including savannas, grasslands, forests, and even urban areas. They are opportunistic hunters and prey on a wide range of animals, including antelopes, monkeys, rodents, and birds. They are also known to scavenge on carcasses left by other predators.
Leopards are solitary animals, with males and females only coming together to mate. Females give birth to a litter of one to four cubs, which they raise on their own. Cubs stay with their mothers for up to two years before venturing out on their own.
Leopards face several threats in the wild, including habitat loss, poaching for their fur and body parts, and conflict with humans. Despite these challenges, leopards are considered a species of "Least Concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). However, some subspecies, such as the Amur leopard, are critically endangered and face a high risk of extinction in the wild.

3. Marginal Increase in Indian Leopard Population

The recently released 'Status of Leopards in India, 2022' report reveals a marginal increase in the overall leopard population in the country. Indian leopards (Panthera pardus fusca) are apex predators, playing a crucial role in maintaining balanced ecosystems across various forested habitats in India, Nepal, Bhutan, and parts of Pakistan. They are believed to have migrated from the West, likely originating from Ethiopia.
The report highlights that Central India and the Eastern Ghats have the highest leopard population, with 8,820 individuals, followed by the Western Ghats with 3,596, and the Shivalik Hills and Gangetic Plains with 1,109. On a state level, Madhya Pradesh leads with 3,907 leopards, followed by Maharashtra (1,985), Karnataka (1,879), and Tamil Nadu (1,070).
The leopard population has increased marginally, it has not seen the same growth rate as the tiger population. Leopards remain attractive targets for poachers, making it a matter of satisfaction to maintain the status quo in their population.

4. The decline in Leopard Populations in Certain Regions

Despite the overall increase in leopard populations in India, the 'Status of Leopards in India, 2022' report highlights concerning declines in specific regions.
Notably, the Shivalik Hills and Gangetic Plains have experienced a worrying 3.4% per annum decline, dropping from 1,253 leopards in 2018 to 1,109 in 2022.
Moreover, several states have reported significant declines in leopard populations. In Odisha, the number of leopards has decreased from 760 in 2018 to 562 in 2022, while Uttarakhand has seen a decline from 839 to 652 during the same period.
Additionally, Kerala, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, and Goa have reported population decreases.
One contributing factor to these declines could be the increase in tiger populations. Uttarakhand wildlife officials have noted that while leopard numbers remain stable in Rajaji and Corbett national parks, the Ramnagar Forest Division has seen a significant decline, possibly due to increased tiger density.
Other factors, such as poaching, habitat loss, and road accidents, also pose significant threats to leopard populations in these regions.

5. Tiger Conservation Efforts Benefit Leopard Populations

The interconnectedness of tiger and leopard conservation efforts. The tigers serve as an "umbrella species," meaning that by conserving tigers, the protection extends to co-predators like leopards, the vegetation, and the entire habitat.
Madhya Pradesh has a successful track record in tiger conservation, and this protection has also benefited the leopard population.
The state's effective management of the prey base has played a crucial role in augmenting the leopard population. This approach underscores the importance of holistic conservation efforts that consider the broader ecosystem and its various components.

6. Leopard-Human Conflict

Leopards, with their adaptability to various habitats and dietary preferences, have managed to thrive in agro-pastoral areas, plantations, and near human settlements. However, this adaptability has led to an increase in leopard-human conflicts.
The 'Status of Leopards in India, 2022' report highlights that in the Shivalik region, approximately 65% of the leopard population resides outside protected areas.
In Uttarakhand, the Forest Department reported that 30% of all wildlife-caused human deaths and injuries over the past five years were due to leopards, accounting for 570 cases out of nearly 2,000.
Maharashtra has emerged as the worst-affected state, with 113 fatal attacks reported in the last seven years, while Karnataka has reported over 100 human-leopard encounters. This escalation can largely be attributed to habitat loss caused by mining and other human activities.
In Kerala, from 2013 to 2019, there were 547 reported incidents of human-leopard conflict, including 173 livestock deaths or injuries. In Uttar Pradesh, attacks are primarily attributed to the narrow width of protected areas, which is less than 10 km wide.
A 2019 research paper on UP’s Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary noted that 38% of the conflicts with leopards occurred when the victim was inside or adjacent to a home, 40% in agricultural fields, and 11% on people defecating in farmlands.
While an increase in the tiger population has been known to adversely impact the habitat and resources available to leopards and other creatures lower down the predator chain, tiger conservation efforts have also helped grow leopard populations.
For example, the Central India and Eastern Ghats landscape, which boasts the largest leopard population, has seen growth due to protective measures under tiger conservation efforts.
The report also notes that leopard densities are higher in Tiger Reserves compared to outside Protected Areas, despite the regulatory pressure exerted by tigers on leopards.
In Tamil Nadu, the presence of leopards in coffee tea estates and other commercial plantations surrounded by forests is attributed to the cheaper land prices near the edges of forests. Plantation workers often buy these lands to build houses, creating an environment where leopards frequently occupy these areas.

7. The Way Forward

By implementing the measures, India can ensure the long-term survival of its leopard populations and contribute to the conservation of its rich biodiversity. Collaboration between government agencies, conservation organizations, and local communities will be key to achieving these goals.

For Prelims: Leopards, Tiger Conservation

For Mains:

1. Evaluate the impact of leopard-human conflicts on both leopard populations and human communities in India. What strategies can be adopted to mitigate these conflicts? (250 Words)

Previous Year Questions

1. The term ‘M-STRIPES’ is sometimes seen in the news in the context of (UPSC 2017)

(a) Captive breeding of Wild Fauna

(b) Maintenance of Tiger Reserves

(d) Security of National Highways

2. Consider the following statements: (UPSC 2014)

1. Animal Welfare Board of India is established under the Environment (Protection) Act, of 1986.

2. National Tiger Conservation Authority is a statutory body.

3. National Ganga River Basin Authority is chaired by the Prime Minister.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 2 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

3. Which one of the following is the well-publicized wildlife campaign in the world launched in 1973? (BPSC 2023)

A. Sunderbans

B. Project Project

C. Tiger Lion Project

D. More than one of the above

E. None of the above

4. Which one of the following tiger reserves of India has ‘Bhoorsingh the Barasingha’ as its official mascot? (UPSC CAPF 2017)

A. Nameri tiger reserve

B. Ranthambhore tiger reserve

C. Panna tiger reserve

D. Kanha tiger reserve

5. From the ecological point of view, which one of the following assumes importance in being a good link between the Eastern Ghats and the Western Ghats?(UPSC CSE 2017)

(a) Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve

(b) Nallamala Forest

(d) Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve

6. Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary is located in which of the following states? (SSC CHSL2021)

A. Kerala B. Karnataka C. Jharkhand D. Sikkim

7. Which of the following Protected Areas are located in Cauvery basin? (upsc 2020)

Nagarhole National Park
Papikonda National Park
Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 3 and 4 only (c) 1, 3 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

8. According to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which of the following animals cannot be hunted by any person except under some provisions provided by law? (UPSC 2017)

1. Gharial

2. Indian wild ass

3. Wild buffalo

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

A. 1 only B. 2 and 3 only C. 1 and 3 only D. 1, 2 and 3

9. With reference to Indian laws about wildlife protection, consider the following statements: (UPSC 2022)

1. Wild animals are the sole property of the government.

2. When a wild animal is declared protected, such animal is entitled for equal protection whether it is found in protected areas or outside.

3. Apprehension of a protected wild animal becoming a danger to human life is sufficient ground for its capture or killing.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A.1 and 2 B. 2 only C.1 and 3 D. 3 only

10. In the field of tourism, which one of the following Indian States is described as 'One State Many Worlds'? (CDS GK 2020)

A. Assam B. West Bengal C. Karnataka D. Rajasthan

Answers: 1-B, 2-B, 3-B, 4-D, 5-A, 6-B, 7-C, 8-D, 9-A, 10-C

Source: The Indian Express

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STATUS OF LEOPARDS IN INDIA REPORT 2022

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