India is home to a significant and widespread population of the leopard, one of the world’s most adaptable large predators. This resilient species thrives across diverse environments, establishing itself as an integral part of India’s complex ecosystems. Their presence makes them a major focus of wildlife conservation efforts.
Yes, They Do: Geographical Range and Habitat
The specific subspecies found across the Indian subcontinent is the Indian Leopard (Panthera pardus fusca). This cat is highly adaptable, occupying nearly every habitat type outside of true deserts and the Sundarbans mangrove forests. Their range extends from the tropical rainforests of the Western Ghats to the dry deciduous forests of central India and the temperate forests in the Himalayan foothills.
Their distribution includes scrublands, grasslands, and areas with high human habitation. Leopards utilize dense vegetation for cover while hunting and often find refuge in agricultural fields or rocky outcrops near settlements. Their ability to persist in fragmented landscapes, often outside protected areas, highlights their resilience but increases interactions with people.
India’s Leopard Population and Conservation Status
The 2022 Status of Leopards in India report estimated the population at 13,874 individuals (range: 12,616 to 15,132). This assessment focused on forested habitats within 18 tiger states, covering about 70% of the occupied area. Madhya Pradesh holds the largest state population, followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.
The Indian Leopard is classified as “Vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. It receives the highest level of legal protection under Indian law, listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which prohibits hunting and trade. Primary threats include habitat fragmentation due to infrastructure development and poaching for skins and body parts.
Navigating Human-Leopard Coexistence
The leopard’s adaptability to human-dominated landscapes inevitably leads to conflicts, especially where settlements encroach upon forest corridors. A main driver of conflict is the depletion of the natural prey base in fragmented habitats. This forces leopards to prey on livestock and domestic animals, often resulting in retaliatory killings by local communities protecting their livelihood.
Mitigation efforts focus on prevention and rapid response. Proactive measures include securing livestock enclosures and managing community waste, since garbage attracts easy prey like feral dogs and pigs. Forest departments use Rapid Response Teams with specialized protocols to safely manage or translocate problem animals. Educational programs raise community awareness about leopard behavior and safety guidelines, such as avoiding movement during crepuscular hours when the cats are most active.