Singh HS. 2005. Status of the Leopard Panthera pardus fusca in India. Cat News 42:15-7.
Keywords: 4IN/leopard/Panthera pardus fusca
Abstract: In Asia, isolated and threatened populations of the leopard occur in other countries but the animal survives well throughout India. Since the beginning of the conservation era in India in 1970, the population has consistently improved. No other Asian countries have populations in thousands.
Status of the Leopard Panthera pardus fusca in India
H. S. Singh1
n Asia, isolated and threatened Population trend of 9,800 to 10,400 leopards in 2001 populations of the leopard occur and about 12,000 leopards at present In India, the leopard population in other countries but the animal may be reasonable estimates. I dipped low in the 1970s and 1980s survives well throughout India. Since but improved subsequently as a re- the beginning of the conservation sult of conservation measures. The Habitats and density changes with era in India in 1970, the population counting of tiger and leopard is done respect to the moistness of forests has consistently improved. No other every four years in Indian forests, According to a recent report on the Asian countries have populations in which gives some trend about the forest cover with a canopy density of thousands. changes in distribution and popula- more than 10%, the total forest cover tion. As per official data, the number in India is 675,538 km2. Of this area, increased consistently from about 2 Leopard population 630,284 km is in 25 States and Union 6,830 in 1993 to 7,890 in 1997 and Territory which have leopards (Anon The Indian forests supported large about 9,850 in 2001. Madhya Pradesh 2001). A substantial area in Jammu & numbers of leopard in the past - accounts for the highest number of Kashmir, Himachal, Uttaranchal and 150,000 leopards were hunted in 50 leopards followed by Uttaranchal, Arunachal is in the high Himalayas years from 1875 to 1925, according to Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Mahar- where the leopard does not occur. official records (Ranganathan 2001). ashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Also, some districts with forest cover With loss of forests and depletion of Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan and Orissa do not have leopards. Thus, the leop- ungulates everywhere, the leopard (Anon 2004a). ard does not use a substantial area of turned to hunting livestock, now an A study of the leopard population these states. Based on the above logic, important part of its prey. in Gujarat showed that the number it can be guessed that about 500,000 Of 35 States and Union Territories grew at an average annual rate of 5.6 km2 of India‘s forest cover is poten- in India, 25 have reported leopard percent during the past two decades. tial leopard habitat. Of the other 10 populations, and another three states Similarly, consistent growth of the States and Union Territories, 7 do not (Meghalaya, Manipur and Sikkim) are species was reported in most Indian have leopards, whereas occurrence of likely have a few leopards. Leopard states. After critical examination of a few leopards in the other three states counts in 16 states in 1997 and 2001- various data, the trends of popula- is guessed. 2002 recorded an increase from 6,252 tion change and official reports of the Based on rainfall and moistness of to 8,150, a growth of about 30% in Government of India, based on leop- forests, leopard supporting states have four to five years. Eight states did not ard counts in 1997 and 2001, a range been classified into four groups: count leopards in 2001, but reported 1,641 leopards in 1997. Two other small states, Jammu & Kashmir and Nagaland, did not count leopards in 1997, but reported 49 leopards in 2001. If the population of 1997 of eight states which did not report to the Govern- ment of India in 2001, is added to the population of the rest of the states, without making a projection, the population of leopards in India would be 9,844 in 2001. If growth in these states followed similar trend as in the other 16 states, the population can be projected to 10,340. Some wildlife experts believe the population may be underestimated because sighting of leopards and cubs is difficult in forests. Based on projection and some gues- timates, another study has reported a population of 14,000 leopards. Indian leopard in the Gir Forest (Photo P. Jackson)
CAT News 42 15 1. semi-arid region (rainfall less than states - Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, Kar- Analysis of the leopard distribution 100 cm), nataka and Tamil Nadu. In evergreen in different habitats showed a definite trend in India. The arid zone, having a 2. moderate rainfall region (rainfall forests, leopard abundance is very low, harsh environment with low resources, between 100 to 155 cm), with only one leopard occuring in every 204.8 km2 (781 leopards in 159,916 may support a very low concentration of 3. high rainfall region (rainfall be- km2) in seven states - five in the north- leopard, whereas semi-arid and tropical tween 150 to 225 cm) and east, Kerala and West Bengal. There regions, having thorn and deciduous forests, are ideal for the leopard. Dense 4. very high rainfall region (rain for- may be some error in the categorization moist forests with extensive cover have ests above 225 cm). of states, but this analysis indicates a definite trend of decline of populations moderate to poor leopard density and In some states, there exists more in areas with increasing rainfall, density abundance decreases with increasing than one climatic region and major for- and moistness of forests, although other moistness, vastness and density of est types. In such cases, the forest type factors also contribute the population forests. predominantly found in areas of leopard distribution. occurrence is considered. To examine this trend at state level, Factors contributing to population It has been found that population distribution of leopard in different habi- growth density in Indian forests declines with tats and districts is critically examined increasing rainfall and moistness of and analyzed in Gujarat, where leopard Enforcement of protection measures, forests. Leopard abundance was high occurs in 17 out of 25 districts. including implementation of the Wild- in the dry region and low in the moist In the semi-arid region of Gujarat, life (Protection) Act 1972, has contrib- region. In the semi-arid bio-geographic the populaiton density is 7.9 km2 per uted greatly to detecting poaching and zone of Gujarat, Rajasthan and Haryana leopard (817 leopards in 6,457 km2 of decline in major wildlife. Constitution States, population density was 22.1 km2 forest area). Density is lower in the high of a Protected Area network across the per leopard (1,505 leopards in 33,273 rainfall area with dense forests where country has also improved habitats km2). In dry deciduous forests of 10 only one leopard was counted in every and increased the leopard population. states in the Deccan and north India 33.3 km2 of forest cover. On average, Public awakening to wildlife has had (Table 1), every leopard has forest cov- leopard density in the habitats of Gu- a significant effect on conservation of er of 48 km2 (6,276 leopards in 301,427 jarat is about 13.9 km2/leopard, which forests and wildlife. km2). The density further declined to is higher than any other state in India Developmental activities may have one leopard for every 109.3 km2 in five (Anon. 2001 and Anon 2003). a negative impact on biodiversity but
Table 1. Distribution of leopards in different types of forests in the states of India
Sr. Name of states Forest cover as per Leopard Density in no FSI, Dehra Dun, population km2 per 2001 (area in km2) 2001-02 leopard
1 Semi-arid Zone 33,273 1,505 22.1 Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana 2 Moderate rainfall zone-Tropical deciduous forests: Andhra 301,427 6,276 48.0 Pradesh, Goa, Dadara-Nagar Haveli, Madhya Pradesh, Chhatish- gadh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir 3 High rainfall zone-Tropical semi-evergreen /semi-moist regi- 135,427 1,241 109.3 on: Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu 4 Very high rainfall zone-Ever green forests/moist region: 159,916 781 204.8 Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, West Bengal and Kerala
Total of leopard’s states 630,284 9,844 64.0 - - 5 Non leopard states: Punjab, Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshdweep, 45,254 Delhi, Pandichery, Chandigadh, Daman & Diu, Meghalaya, Manipur, Sikkim - Grand Total 675,538 9,844
16 Spring 2005 some agricultural activities provide on the outskirts of Mumbai (Bombay), above the limit of tolerance. In very opportunities and enhanced resources and some areas in Uttaranchal State. high concentration areas, the extent of for the leopard. For example, con- A high population density of about habitat is more than accounted for as struction of a network of small and 40 leopards in 103 km2 occurred in leopards shelter in the hill forests in medium sized dams during the past Borivli National Park and leopards daytime and come down to peripheral three decades has improved avail- killed several people in the nearby villages for food. ability of water, even during scarcity. city in 2003 and 2004. Estimation of The above figures, especially for The dams, ponds and availability of the density of leopard in Indian forests Protected Areas in India, may not moisture in the irrigated land have has included forested areas with no provide a real picture because villages enhanced the abundance of some leopards. Thus, the actual density of within leopard distribution range are small animals, which have been easy the animal in leopard habitats is higher key places for food, but they are not prey for leopards. Also, irrigated than the figures in Table 1. counted as part of leopard habitat. In crops, such as sugarcane, have pro- In Gujarat, the distribution and the absence of appropriate studies, vided shelter and breeding ground for concentration of the leopard has been it is difficult to estimate the carry- the leopard, and extended its habitat critically examined and estimates ing capacity of an area. However, closer to human settlements. of density in forest areas of those based on the above records, it can be Livestock, especially sheep and districts with leopards calculated. In roughly stated that about 8-10 km2 goats, are abundant in states of west total forest cover of 13,847 km2, 999 per leopard, depending on the habitat and northwest India, including Gu- leopards were counted. with an aver- condition, may be the appropriate jarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, Madhya age density of 7.2 leopards per 100 density for managing leopards in Pradesh, Uttaranchal and Himachal, km2, whereas there are 10.4 leopards semi-arid and tropical regions having which support 68 % of India‘s leopard for the Protected Areas in the state thorn and tropical deciduous forest. In population, livestock, especially sheep (349 leopards in 3,345 km2 of 11 na- semi-evergreen and evergreen forest, and goats, are abundant. There are hu- tional parks and wildlife sanctuaries). the optimum density of the animal man settlements in the forests and a This showed that leopard concentra- would be less. good number of seasonal migratory tion is higher in the forests than in livestock. Many naturalists believe the Protected Areas. Among Protected References that human settlements in the forests, Areas, one leopard has 7.2 km2 in Gir up to a limited scale, are beneficial National Park; 5 km2 of forests in Anon. 2001. The State of Forest Re- for the leopard. The prey base has Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary; 8.5 port 2001. Forest Survey of India, dwindled in deep forests and caused km2 in Barda Wildlife Sanctuary; 18.6 Dehra Dun, Ministry of Environ- this extremely adaptable cat to shift its km2 in Jessore and Balaram & Am- ment and Forest, Government of base to fringe areas. It is very conven- baji Wildlife Sanctuaries and 10 km2 India ient for the cat to descend on villages in Vansada National Park and Purna Anon. 2004a. Leopard population in to hunt goats, sheep, cattle, poultry Wildlife Sanctuary, and 3 km2 in Ra- India, report Ministry of Envi- and stray dogs and then withdraw to tanmahals Wildlife Sanctuary accord- ronment and Forests, GOI, New the hills. The foothills have also be- ing to the 2002 leopard census. Delhi come the meeting point for livestock The highest density of leopard in Daniel J. C. 1996. The leopard in and man. There is a gradual shift now Gujarat occurs in Dahod district (Bar- India, a natural history. Natraj by leopards towards a new prey base ia forest division) where a total of 165 Publishers Dehra Dun. (i.e. livestock), which is not only more leopards were estimated in about 600 Ranganathan Mahesh. 2001. India’s abundant than its original prey, but km2 of forest in June 2004, an average wildlife history. Ranthambhore also a much softer option. Sugarcane density of one leopard for every 3.6 Foundation. 2 and maize fields have become the km . When analysis is narrowed by 1 seasonal ambush cover for the cat. excluding forests having no leopards Conservator of Forests, Vadodara Circle, Kothi Annexe Building, Thus, a new prey-base and convenient in the district, the density of the leop- Raopura, Vadodara-390015. ambush cover in a new hunting ground ard would be one leopard for every 3
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