INDIA’S LEOPARD POPULATION RISES TO 13,874; M.P. ON TOP

Why in the news?

  • Leopard population in India rises to 13,874, with Madhya Pradesh leading; Uttarakhand sees decline due to poaching and conflicts.
source:toi

Highlighting the Leopard Population Statistics:

  • India’s leopard population surged 8% to 13,874 from 2018 to 2022.
  • Madhya Pradesh reported the most leopards (3,907), followed by Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
  • Uttarakhand experienced a 22% decline, while Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and West Bengal collectively increased to 349.
About Wildlife Institute of India (WII):

●   Autonomous institution under Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

●   Founded in 1982, headquartered in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.

●   Offers training, academic courses, and advisory services in wildlife research and management.

About National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA):

●   Statutory body under Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change.

●   Established in 2005 following Tiger Task Force recommendations.

●   Empowered by Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, for strengthening tiger conservation efforts.