As informed by sources in the Forest Department the leopard population in the State having risen to nearly 2,345 from almost 2,100 between 2003 and 2005. Corbett Tiger Reserve is the leading big cat habitat with maximum leopard population touching 115 in 2008 from 45 in 2003. Similarly estimate was for Dehradun Forest Division where leopard population has gone up by double the figure of 2003. It was almost 33 in 2003 while present strength is 66.

Tehri Forest Division has also witnessed increase in leopard strength in the last three years. It has gone up to 253 in 2008 from 196 in 2003. Thus if leopard population in Dehradun Forest Division shot up by 100 per cent in the last three years Tehri Forest Division witnessed by nearly 27 percent rise in its big cat population.

Again Uttarakashi, Narendra Nagar, Tarai East, Tarai Central, Haldwani and Ramnahar Forest Divisions too have recorded substantial increase in leopard population as per the record presented to the state forest department by world wildlife Institute of India. Interestingly Tarai Forest division presently has 12 leopards whereas it had nil in 2003, says the WII extrapolation.

State forest officials have contradictory reasons over the rising leopard population in the state. Leopard strength in the state has gone on mainly two accounts. “One, sensitivity of forest staff towards big cats has increased leading to adoption of refined methods of providing safety to the big cats. Secondly visibility of leopards has increased as it has started moving close to human habitations very frequently” said Paramjit Singh.

A senior forest officer obviously not confident in his statement said under the condition of anonymity that poaching activities were subsided in the last couple of years.

However this officer’s claim was negated from Singh’s statement that nearly 14 leopard skins were recovered by him alone in various seizures last one year. “I made nearly 14 seizures last year and recovered 14 leopard skins last year” said Singh.