Recently, South India’s first and the country’s largest leopard safari was inaugurated at the Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP).
- As per Central Zoo Authority guidelines for safaris: An area of 20 hectares has been demarcated and fenced for the safari.
About Bannerghatta National Park
- Location: It is located near Bangalore, Karnataka, in the hills of the Anekal range.
- It was declared as a National Park in 1974.
- River: Suvarnamukhi stream, the main source of water for the animals of the park, runs through the centre of the park.
Bannerghatta Biological Park(BBP)
- In 2004: BBP was carved out of the Bannerghatta National Park (BNP) and brought under the Zoo Authority of Karnataka (ZAK).
- It is the first biological park in India to have a fenced forested elephant sanctuary.
- BBP has four divisions: the zoo, the safari, the butterfly park and the rescue centre.
- The valley of Champakadhama hills is inside the park.
- In 2006: India’s first butterfly enclosure was inaugurated at the park
Flora:
- Include Narcissus latifolia, Schleichera oleosa, Sandalwood, Neem, Tamarind, Bamboo, Eucalyptus etc.
Fauna:
- Endangered Asian Elephant, varieties of butterflies, Leopard, Chital, Barking Deer, Striped Hyena, Porcupine, Peafowl, Indian gaur, Tiger, Sambar deer, Spotted deer, Wild dog, Wild pig, Sloth bear, , etc.
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About Indian Leopard
- The Indian Leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) is a leopard subspecies that is widespread throughout the Indian subcontinent.
- They are the smallest of the big cats.
- A nocturnal animal, feeds on smaller species of herbivores found in its range, such as the chital, hog deer and wild boar.
- They are noted for their capacity to adapt to a range of environments.
- They are strong and agile predators capable of climbing trees and dragging their victim to safety.
- Conservation status: Vulnerable (IUCN Red List).
- Appendix I of CITES and Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
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Leopard Population in India
- Population Estimate: 13,874 leopards are thought to exist in India, a stable number when compared to the 2018 estimate.
- Remarkably, this estimate encompasses 70% of the habitat used by leopards; it does not include locations like the Himalayas or semi-arid areas.
- Geographical Trends: The population of Central India is constant or slightly increasing, although areas such as the Shivalik hills and Gangetic plains are declining.
- The selected areas are growing at a rate of 1.08% annually overall.
- Distribution by State:
- With 3907 (2018: 3421) leopards – Madhya Pradesh has the highest population in the nation.
- It is followed by Maharashtra (2022: 1985; 2018: 1,690), Karnataka (2022: 1,879; 2018: 1,783), and Tamil Nadu (2022: 1,070; 2018: 868).
- Environment: The tiger reserves or locations with the greatest concentration of leopards are Satpura (AP), Panna (MP), and Nagarjunasagar Srisailam (AP).
- Declining Population: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and West Bengal recorded a combined 150% increase to 349 large cats, whereas Uttarakhand reported a 22% fall in big cat numbers, presumably due to poaching and man-animal conflict.
International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)
- Participation: It is open to 97 ‘range’ countries that contain the big cats’ native habitats, as well as other interested states, international organisations, and so on.
- Inception: Its idea was 1st floated by India’s Prime Minister in 2019. It was launched in April 2023 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger.
- AIM: It aims at conservation of seven big cats namely
- Tiger
- Lion
- Leopard
- Snow Leopard
- Cheetah
- Jaguar
- Puma.
- Objectives of IBCA:
- To stop the illegal wildlife trade of the seven big cats.
- To work towards the conservation of natural habitats of the seven big cats.
- Mobilisation of financial and technical resources for implementing the conservation and protection agenda.
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June 28, 2024