Human attacks by leopards in Uttarakhand, India: an assessment based on perceptions of affected people and stakeholders Study period: 2014-15 Date of report out: 6 April 2016 Project team: Sanjay Sondhi, Vidya Athreya, Anchal Sondhi, Arun Prasad, Amit Verma & Neha Verma Leopard image © Manoj Nair 1 of 35 Human attacks by leopards in Uttarakhand, India: an assessment based on perceptions of affected people and stakeholders Sanjay Sondhi1, Vidya Athreya3, Anchal Sondhi1, Arun Prasad1, Amit Verma2, Neha Verma2 1 Titli Trust, 49 Rajpur Road Enclave, Dhoran Khas, near IT Park, P.O. Gujrada, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, 248001, India. www.titlitrust.com. 2Uttarakhand Forest Department 3Wildlife Conservation Society - India. 1669, 31st cross, 16th main, Banashankari 2nd stage. Bangalore. 560070. India. Corresponding author:
[email protected] Key words human wildlife conflict, Himalayas, Panthera pardus, social survey Abstract Attacks on humans by leopards have been a serious issue for many decades in Uttarakhand, India. This study uses forest department compensation data between 1998 and 2012 to ascertain conflict intensity in Uttarakhand and examines the social aspects of the conflict using on-the-ground assessment with affected victims, their families and associates of victims as well as other stakeholders such as forest department personnel, local community members, hunters and non-governmental organizations. A total of 80 interviews were conducted in 69 villages in five Forest Divisions of Pauri Garhwal, Tehri Garhwal, Almora, Lansdowne and Mussoorie. In addition 35 stakeholders were interviewed. Based on these interviews, the nature of leopard attacks on people, the landscape in which these attacks occurred, the seasons and times during which these attacks occurred were analyzed.