JAIPUR: The ‘Status of Leopard in India 2018’ report, released by Union environment minister Prakash Javadekar on Monday, has put the number of leopards in Rajasthan's tiger reserves at 476.
The report has recorded leopard populations only in tiger-occupied protected areas in the state, including Mukundara, Ranthambore and Sariska reserve areas. The study, conducted across 18 states, put the state in the 10th position in the category. The highest number of leopards has been recorded in MP (3,421), followed by Karnataka (1,783) and Maharashtra (1,690).
The figures have been welcomed by wildlife lovers in the state. Vishwaraj Singh, a wildlife enthusiast, said, “The state has five national parks, 25 wildlife sanctuaries and 11 conservation reserves which constitute the protected area network, covering 2.92% of the geographical area of the state. The total leopard population in the state could be above 700, including the 476 in tiger reserves.”
A forest staff from Sariska Tiger Reserve said, “There are around 60 leopards in the reserve. Earlier, many were constantly straying out in search of food. An effort has been made to reduce human disturbance in the reserve and improve grassland and prey base.” Experts, however, believe that the number could have increased if the government had taken adequate steps on time.