New Delhi: A new report, Status of Leopards in India, has found that the country’s leopard population is estimated at 13,874, which is a significant increase from 12,616 in 2018.
The report, conducted by the National Tiger Conservation Authority and the Wildlife Institute of India, found that the population growth was fueled by the creation of new protected areas, as well as the reduction of habitat loss caused by human activities. It also found that the age structure of the leopard population is skewed, with too many young ones, who are less likely to have territories, settling in protected areas.
The study, which was conducted in 18 states, found that the leopard population increased by 1.08 percent per year between 2018 and 2022. The highest population of leopards was found in Central India and Eastern Ghats, with a growth rate of 1.5 percent per year, followed by Shivalik hills and Gangetic plains, where the population grew by 3.4 percent per year.
The report highlights the importance of protected areas in the conservation of leopard populations. It also underscores the need for collaborative efforts between government agencies, conservation organizations, and local communities to enhance habitat protection and mitigate human-wildlife conflicts.
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