India’s first leopard report releases and it makes the environment happier.  It did not surveyed the entire country. It was restricted to the tiger states, except West Bengal and the North-East states. Non-tiger states — such as Himachal, Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana or Punjab — were not covered. Based on numbers, estimate of India’s total leopard population was in the range of 12,000 to 14,000. Still, leopards need protection.

Jhala further said, “Most of the leopard populations are contiguous, ensuring a healthy genetic exchange. So, leopards do not face the problems of isolated populations that plague Indian tigers.

Facts about Indian Leopard:

1. The Indian leopard is one of the five big cats found in India.
2. Rest four are as follows:
   1.  the Asiatic lion
   2. the Bengal tiger
   3. the snow leopard
   4. the clouded leopard.

G.K. Related Question:

• who was the first in India to advocate for the conservation of leopards, condemned sport hunting and recognised their key role in the ecosystem?