(a) whether according to a report of Wildlife Protection Society of India, the country
is losing its leopards faster than any other wild cat;
(b) if so, the details thereof including the population of leopards as per the latest
census in the country and the reasons therefor; and
(c) the steps taken by the Government to check declining population of leopards in the
country?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRIMATI JAYANTHI NATARAJAN)
(a) and (b) Incidents of death of leopards do come to the notice of this Ministry. However,
there is no report with the Government indicating that the country is losing leopards faster
than any other wild cat.
The information regarding population of leopards is not available in the Ministry as no nationwide
census of leopard population has been undertaken in the country.
(c) The Government has taken the following steps to protect wild animals including leopards
in the country:
i. Legal protection has been provided to wild animals including leopards against hunting and
commercial exploitation under the provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
ii. In addition to provision of stringent punishment for the offenders, the Wild Life
(Protection) Act, 1972 also provides for forfeiture of any equipment, vehicle or weapon that
is used for committing wildlife offence(s).
iii. Protected Areas, viz., National Parks, Sanctuaries, Conservation Reserves and Community
Reserves covering important wildlife habitats have been created all over the country under the
provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 to conserve wild animals including leopards
and their habitats.
iv. Financial and technical assistance is provided to the State/ Union Territory Governments
under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes of ‘Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats`, ‘Project
Tiger’ and ‘Project Elephant’ for providing better protection to wildlife, and improvement of
its habitat.
v. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has been empowered under the Wild Life
(Protection) Act, 1972 to apprehend and prosecute wildlife offenders.
vi. The State/Union Territory Governments have been requested to strengthen the field
formations and intensify patrolling in and around the Protected Areas.
vii. The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau has been set up to ensure co-ordination among various
officers and State Governments in connection with the enforcement of law for control of poaching
and illegal trade in wildlife and its products.
viii. Strict vigil is maintained by the officials of State Departments of Forests and Wildlife.