Context
Recent fatal leopard attacks in Moradabad and Bijnor districts have highlighted increasing human–leopard encounters in western Uttar Pradesh.
Explanation
- The Indian leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) is a subspecies of leopard native to the Indian subcontinent.
- Leopards are highly adaptable predators capable of surviving in forests, scrublands and human-modified landscapes.
- Western Uttar Pradesh remains connected to the Shivalik forests through rivers such as the Ramganga, Khoh, Malan and Ganga, whose vegetation functions as wildlife corridors.
- Dense, tall sugarcane fields provide concealment and temporary habitat close to villages and livestock.
- Habitat fragmentation, settlement expansion, free-ranging dogs, cattle, livestock and carcass disposal further attract leopards towards human-use areas.
- Capturing individual animals cannot alone resolve conflict; landscape-level management, wildlife corridors, community participation and reduction of attractants are important.
- Leopard is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
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Human-Leopard Conflict: Managing Agricultural Landscapes