Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: PIB
Context: The report on the Status of Leopards in India was recently released by the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
The fifth cycle leopard population estimation, conducted by the National Tiger Conservation Authority and Wildlife Institute of India, revealed key findings:
- Overall population: India’s leopard population increased by 8% from 12,852 in 2018 to 13,874 in 2022.
- Regional variation: Central India’s leopard population remains stable or slightly growing, while the Shivalik hills and Gangetic plains experienced a decline.
- State-level distribution: Madhya Pradesh has the highest number of leopards (3,907), followed by Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
- Benefits From Tiger Conservation Efforts: The Central India and Eastern Ghats landscape, home to the largest leopard population, is benefiting from tiger conservation efforts.
- Common Threats: Threats include poaching, habitat loss due to human activities, and road accidents.
About IBCA:
The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) is a coalition of 97 countries (HQ: India), conservation partners, and scientific organizations dedicated to conserving big cat species and their habitats.
- Last year, the government, marking the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger, announced the establishment of the IBCA.
About Leopard:
The leopard (IUCN: Vulnerable; CITES Appendix-I; Schedule-I in WPA), scientifically known as Panthera pardus, is the smallest member of the Big Cat family and is highly adaptable to various habitats. It is nocturnal and preys on smaller herbivores like chital and wild boar. Melanism, resulting in black skin and spots, is common but often mistaken for a different species called the black panther. Leopards inhabit a wide range from Africa to Asia, including the Indian subcontinent.
Prelims Links:
Consider the following: (UPSC 2012)
- Black-necked crane
- Cheetah
- Flying squirrel
- Snow leopard
Which of the above are naturally found in India?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Ans: B
