Odisha Leopard Population Sees Sharp Decline Despite National Rise: Report

Bhubaneswar: The leopard population in Odisha has experienced a concerning decline, according to a recent report released by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC). The report reveals that the state’s leopard population dropped from 760 in 2018 to just 568 in 2022, marking a decrease of 192 leopards in four years.

While Odisha grapples with a decline in its leopard population, India, on a national scale, witnessed a positive trend. The report indicates that the overall leopard population in the country has increased from 12,852 in 2018 to 13,874 in 2022, reflecting a rise of around 1,000 leopards.

The report also provides insight into the distribution of leopards across various states in India. Leading the count is Madhya Pradesh, boasting the highest number of leopards at 3,907 in 2022. Following closely are Maharashtra with 1,985, Karnataka with 1,879, and Tamil Nadu with 1,070.