Context:
Centre’s report reveals that India has nearly 14,000 leopards with around 8% increase.
Key Findings:
- A stable population compared to 2018 (estimates of 13,874 leopards)
- Highest population – Madhya Pradesh (3,907)
- Followed by Maharashtra (1,985) and Karnataka (1,879)
- Protected areas and tiger reserves support high densities of leopards –
- Nagarjunsagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve (Andhra Pradesh)
- Panna Tiger Reserve (Madhya Pradesh)
- Satpura Tiger Reserve (Madhya Pradesh)
- Central India and Eastern Ghats shows a stable or slightly increasing trend of 1.5% growth rate
- Shivalik-Gangetic plains had seen a 3.4% annual decline between 2018 and 2022.
Indian Leopard:
- Smallest of the big cats
- Global Distribution – widely on the Indian subcontinent
- Indian subcontinent distribution – India, Nepal, Bhutan, and parts of Pakistan
- Characteristics –
- Ability to adapt to a variety of habitats
- Strong and agile predators that can climb trees and drag their prey up for safety
- Solitary predators who remain well-camouflaged at night but come down from trees to hunt during the day
- Conservation Status –
- IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
- CITES: Appendix I
- Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I
Read more about: Snow Leopard, Snow Leopard Assesment
Source: Down to Earth
Previous Year Question
Which of the following is not a bird?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2012 Prelims]
(a) Golden Mahseer
(b) Indian Nightjar
(c) Spoonbill
(d) White Ibis
Answer: (a)
Explanation:
Golden Mahseer is a fish.
