Express News Service

DEHRADUN: Since its formation 23 years ago, Uttarakhand witnessed a record high of 43 fatalities 
in human-wildlife conflicts involving tigers and leopards this year. Of these, while 21 individuals fell victim to leopard attacks, 22 lost their lives in tiger encounters. According to forest department data, between January 2000 and December 2023, a total of 551 people lost their lives in leopard and tiger attacks, with over 1,833 individuals sustaining injuries. 

Additionally, since June 2001, a total of 1,663 leopard deaths have been recorded, with many attributed to accidents or inter-species conflicts, among other causes. The population of leopards and tigers in the state has seen an increase since 2015. The estimated number of leopards in Uttarakhand is 3,115, an increase from 2,335 in 2015, a spokesman for the forest department told this newspaper. There has been a 13 per cent rise in the conflicts compared to the previous year, he added.

The Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI), has released a data showing 204 deaths in the country during the period January 1, 2023, to December 26. While 43 deaths of tigers and leopards represent 15 per cent of the country’s total, the figure is still alarming.

According to official sources from the state forest department, the state has officially recorded the third-largest tiger population in the country, with a total of 560 big cats. The Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR) has reported the highest number of tigers at 260 among the 53 tiger reserves in the nation. 

Notably, the tiger population in Uttarakhand has surged from 442 to 560 compared to the figures reported in 2018. While there are now 12,852 leopards in India, the previous estimate made in 2014 was 7910. 
The population has registered an increase of more than 60 percent.

Wild population
The population of leopards and tigers in the state has seen an increase since 2015. The estimated number of leopards in Uttarakhand is 3,115, an increase from 2,335 in 2015, a spokesman for the forest department told this newspaper. There has been a 13 per cent rise in the conflicts compared to the previous year, he added. The state has officially recorded the third-largest tiger population in the country, with a total of 560 big cats.

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<br /> DEHRADUN: Since its formation 23 years ago, Uttarakhand witnessed a record high of 43 fatalities <br /> in human-wildlife conflicts involving tigers and leopards this year. Of these, while 21 individuals fell victim to leopard attacks, 22 lost their lives in tiger encounters. According to forest department data, between January 2000 and December 2023, a total of 551 people lost their lives in leopard and tiger attacks, with over 1,833 individuals sustaining injuries. </p> <p>Additionally, since June 2001, a total of 1,663 leopard deaths have been recorded, with many attributed to accidents or inter-species conflicts, among other causes. The population of leopards and tigers in the state has seen an increase since 2015. The estimated number of leopards in Uttarakhand is 3,115, an increase from 2,335 in 2015, a spokesman for the forest department told this newspaper. There has been a 13 per cent rise in the conflicts compared to the previous year, he added.</p> <p>The Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI), has released a data showing 204 deaths in the country during the period January 1, 2023, to December 26. While 43 deaths of tigers and leopards represent 15 per cent of the country’s total, the figure is still alarming.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });</p> <p>According to official sources from the state forest department, the state has officially recorded the third-largest tiger population in the country, with a total of 560 big cats. The Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR) has reported the highest number of tigers at 260 among the 53 tiger reserves in the nation. </p> <p>Notably, the tiger population in Uttarakhand has surged from 442 to 560 compared to the figures reported in 2018. While there are now 12,852 leopards in India, the previous estimate made in 2014 was 7910. <br /> The population has registered an increase of more than 60 percent.</p> <p>Wild population<br /> The population of leopards and tigers in the state has seen an increase since 2015. The estimated number of leopards in Uttarakhand is 3,115, an increase from 2,335 in 2015, a spokesman for the forest department told this newspaper. There has been a 13 per cent rise in the conflicts compared to the previous year, he added. The state has officially recorded the third-largest tiger population in the country, with a total of 560 big cats. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp<br />