60% Rise In Leopard Population: Prakash Javedekar

India witnessed a growth in the population of leopards after a survey conducted in multiple densely forested leopard and tiger habitats. As per the study by National Tiger Conservation Authority and Wildlife Institute of India (NTCA-WII), the leopard population is now at 12,852, which is almost 4,951 more than its last estimate of 2014. The maximum contribution to this significant growth has come in from the states of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. 

 

The study comprised multiple high-end software and an extensive amount of statistical analysis which not only helped in understand the leopard population but also identifying the number of adult leopards. In this process, a total of 51,337 pictures were taken of the leopards out of which more than 5 thousand leopards were recognized as adults.

 

The study was primarily focused on the density of the leopard population in the higher altitudes of the Himalayan regions, deserted regions along with some parts of the North-eastern landscapes. Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Prakash Javadekar mentioned that this growth reflects the dynamic efforts made by the country in its goals of conservation of wildlife and biodiversity.

 

The survey undertaken for the tigers, that got global recognition helped not only in understanding the status of the tigers of the country but also of leopards. Emphasizing this aspect, Javedekar added, that monitoring of  tigers in India has clearly shown its umbrella role in the ecosystem, which has shed light on other charismatic species like the leopard.

 

It has also come to report that this survey has also brought out intricate details about various other species which the National Tiger Conservation Authority-Wildlife Institute of India (NTCA-WII) will bring forward shortly.

 

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