Leopard numbers show 8% rise from 2018 to 2022

This estimate represents population in around 70% of leopard habitat. The Himalayas and semi arid parts of the country which are not tiger habitat were not sampled during the estimation exercise. The leopard population ranges between 12,616 and 15,132 individuals, representing a stable population in comparison to the similar area being sampled in 2018 with 12,172 — 13,535 individuals, the report, “Status of Leopards in India” said.

The fifth cycle of leopard population estimation was carried out by the National Tiger Conservation Authority and Wildlife Institute of India in collaboration with state forest departments in 2022, as part of the quadrennial “Monitoring of Tiger, Co-predators, prey and their habitat” exercise in tiger range states.

Central India shows a stable or slightly growing population of leopards (2018: 8,071; 2022: 8,820), Shivalik hills but the Gangetic plains have recorded a drop (2018: 1,253; 2022: 1,109). “If we look at the area which was sampled both in 2018 and 2022 across India, there is a 1.08% growth per year,” the ministry said.