The Indian leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) is one of the nation’s most widely distributed and adaptable big cat species. This subspecies is found across the Indian subcontinent, sharing its territory with other large carnivores like the Bengal tiger and the Asiatic lion. Its presence is a testament to the country’s rich biodiversity, but it also presents conservation challenges due to the animal’s proximity to human populations.
Geographical Distribution and Habitat Types
The Indian leopard exhibits remarkable ecological flexibility, enabling it to thrive in a variety of environments across the country. Its range extends from the northern temperate forests of the Himalayas, though not the highest altitudes, down to the tropical rainforests of the Western and Eastern Ghats.
Leopards are found in dry scrublands, deciduous forests, and rocky outcrops, demonstrating an ability to subsist even in fragmented or degraded habitats. They are largely absent only from the most arid desert regions and the dense mangrove swamps of the Sundarbans. This adaptability allows the species to persist in landscapes heavily modified by human activity, such as agricultural fields and plantations.
They frequently utilize areas of dense cover near human settlements, including sugarcane fields and tea gardens, which offer both shelter and a potential food source.
Population Status and Legal Protection
The most recent official assessment, conducted in 2022 by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), estimated the leopard population in forested habitats of 18 tiger states to be 13,874 individuals. This figure represents an increase from previous estimates, suggesting a generally stable or growing population in the surveyed areas. A significant portion of this population, estimated to be around 68%, lives outside the formal boundaries of National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries.
The Indian leopard is listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972, which prohibits hunting and grants the animal absolute protection. Violations of this law, including poaching or illegal trade of skins and body parts, attract maximum penalties.
Internationally, the Indian leopard is classified as “Vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, reflecting ongoing global concerns. The primary threats to the species involve habitat loss, poaching driven by the illegal wildlife trade, and conflicts arising from its close proximity to human settlements.
Understanding Human-Leopard Conflict
The high number of leopards living outside protected areas is the fundamental reason for the prevalence of human-leopard conflict across India. This conflict is driven by rapid urbanization and agricultural expansion, which cause habitat fragmentation and encroachment into traditional leopard territories.
A reduction in natural prey species, such as deer and wild boar, within fragmented habitats forces the leopards to seek alternative food sources. This often results in livestock depredation, where domestic animals like goats, dogs, and cattle become targets, leading to economic losses for local communities. The presence of feral dogs and other scavengers near human waste also acts as an attractant, drawing the cats closer to villages and towns.
Conflict scenarios frequently involve accidental encounters, such as leopards inadvertently falling into open wells or straying into urban buildings and industrial complexes. These incidents often cause public panic and may lead to retaliatory killings by fearful local residents, which poses a serious threat to the species. Forestry departments and local authorities employ specialized Emergency Response teams to manage these crisis situations, focusing on the safe capture and relocation of the animal.
Mitigation efforts include implementing compensation schemes for livestock loss and raising public awareness about leopard behavior and coexistence strategies. However, the practice of translocating “problem” animals has been shown to be largely ineffective, as translocated leopards may struggle to establish new territories and can sometimes increase conflict in the release area. Proactive strategies, like ecological restoration and securing livestock enclosures, are considered more sustainable long-term solutions to reduce the frequency and intensity of these conflicts.