PM congratulates animal conservation after report shows 60 percent rise in leopard population

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated all those people who are working towards animal conservation.

PM Modi responded to a report released by Prakash Javadekar, Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, which has recorded a 60 percent increase in leopard’s population in India in six years.

PM Modi took to his Twitter handle and said, “Great news! After lions and tigers, the leopard population increases.”

“Congratulations to all those who are working towards animal conservation. We have to keep up these efforts and ensure our animals live in safe habitats,” he added.

Earlier, Javadekar released a report in Delhi, according to which, leopard’s population has increased in India from 7910 in 2014 to 12,852 in 2020.

“Monitoring of the tiger in India has clearly shown its umbrella role in the ecosystem, which has shed light on other charismatic species like the Leopard,” Javadekar said while addressing a press conference while releasing the report.

Three states which have done significantly well on this front are Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra. These states have recorded the highest population estimates at 3,421, 1,783, and 1,690 respectively.

Using pattern recognition software, wildlife experts have identified a total of 5,240 adult individual leopards in a total of 51,337 leopard photographs.

“Statistical analysis estimates the leopard population at - 12,800 leopards within the tiger's range,” a press release from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change said.

Javadekar said, “Increase in Tiger, Lion & Leopards numbers over the last few years is a testimony to the conservation efforts and of the fledgling wildlife & biodiversity of the country.”