Leopard State MP count 3,907; highest in country

 

 

 

 

 

 

The recent census 2022 released the other day has estimated around 3,907 leopards in Madhya Pradesh in comparison to 3,421 leopards during census 2018. Though Madhya Pradesh is continuously being recognised as ‘Leopard State’ in terms of having highest population of the species got past a few years but the State has no proper road map for conservation of the cat species. Population of the big cat enlisted as schedule one animal in the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, has increased in State along with the higher mortality, including the poaching cases, but it is still lagging behind its safety and conservation plans in Madhya Pradesh. The population of leopard surpasses tigers in State and their death ratio is too high. According to the census report Madhya Pradesh is followed by Maharashtra (1,985), Karnataka (1,879) and Tamil Nadu (1,070). Among the top three, Panna Tiger Reserve and Satpura Tiger Reserve of Madhya Pradesh has richest population of the cat. In the year 2021, Special Task Force of State Forest Department had arrested more than 45 people accused of killing leopards by electrocution. In first eight months of 2021, 56 cats were found dead.

 

During year 2022, there were around 35 deaths and again in year 2023 there were around 40 leopards died of various reasons. In first four months of 2019, more than 40 leopards were found dead. After sharp rise in leopard mortality cases in the state, forest department is yet to chalk out action plans. Talking to ‘The Hitavada’, Ajay Dubey, Secretary of Prayatna, said, “Leopard are easy prey for poachers and they reside around residential areas in search of food and water. Death rate of leopard is much higher than other conserved animals in our state and Forest Department is completely focusing on tigers. They do not have action plan for leopards which is need of the hour.” He further said that leopard prefer to attack the tiger cubs. In order to save the cubs, tigress fights with the leopard and kills it. He said that Forest Department, NGOs and social workers are completely focusing towards the tigers and their safety.

 

He said that there is need to draft action plan for safety of leopard too as they are schedule one animal. He said that fights between tigers and leopards are increasing day by day. He said that leopards are moving towards residential areas in search of food and water as they easily prey favourite food dogs. But at the same time, it increases the chance of man-animal conflict. Several incidents have been reported from villages of Madhya Pradesh where leopard were killed by villagers with lathis. Alok Kumar, DFO Bhopal, said, “Leopard prefers to stay between villages and jungle areas. They like to kill domestic animals and their body is lighter so they easily escape upon trees and behind bushes. We are monitoring the safety of leopards on priority basis. They are also schedule one animals and all protection is being given to save leopard too.” He further added that several plans are there to conserve the all wild species and forest areas. One would be surprised to know that leopard’s population in Madhya Pradesh has surpassed the population of tigers. The population of leopards has increased notwithstanding that there is no conservation plan for them in State. Even forest officials are surprised over the rise in numbers of leopards and they are ecstatic in this regard.