Int’l Leopard Day: Over 2, 00, 000 trees to minimise human-leopard conflict in U’khand
Friday, 03 MAY 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
Though no authentic survey on the leopard population in India has been conducted in recent years, unofficial data from wildlife experts suggest that there are nearly 12,000 big cats in the country, mainly in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Assam and some areas of the Western Ghats Mountain range. Among these states, Uttarakhand is witnessing an increase in human-animal conflicts due to leopards entering human habitats. A recent incident was reported in March 2024 when the forest department trapped a leopard with great effort.
One of the key reasons for leopards entering human settlements is the loss of their natural habitat due to the high rate of deforestation. To address this issue, social enterprise Grow-Trees.com has launched the Trees for Leopards® project in Nainital district, Uttarakhand. The project’s massive tree plantation drive is primarily aimed at reducing human-wildlife conflict in the area and expanding green cover with the addition of over 2,00,000 trees.
According to wildlife experts, the Indian leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) is declared an endangered species under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. These creatures rely on surprise tactics for hunting, making the forest essential for their survival. Any significant reduction in forest cover will naturally make hunting more difficult for them. Hence, they will be forced to enter into farmlands in search of food, leading to human-wildlife conflicts.
Aligning well with the expert opinions, the efforts by Grow-Trees.com have the potential to increase green cover which will help these near-threatened species remain in their natural habitat. The trees that are being planted under the project include Banj (Quercus leucotrichophora), Bhimal (Grewia optiva), Deodar (Cedrus deodara), Indian Soapberry, Khasru Oak and Dwarf Bamboo (Chimnobabusa falcata).
“The tree varieties are selected carefully to ensure adequate vegetation for leopards to hunt in. Through our tree plantations, we also aim to collaborate with local communities to provide additional income through participation in the planting of the saplings. We also conduct community sensitisation programmes to raise awareness about the importance of nurturing the environment,” says the co-founder of Grow-Trees.com Pradip Shah.
As part of the Trees for Leopards® initiative, nearly 40,000 trees have already been planted in Okhalkanda, Ramgarh, and Dhari. The second phase of the project will be carried out in FY 2024-25 during which another 150,000 trees will be added in other areas.
The project is being implemented in coordination with the Van Panchayats which consist of community members entrusted with managing and protecting forest areas.
