Once near extinction, rock leopards of Chambal are making a comeback
India Today
According to data released by the wildlife department for 2020-21, the number of leopards in the Chambal Sanctuary in Agra district has increased from 24 to 80.
The Chambal river winding through Agra district is home to several aquatic and terrestrial animals that are native to this ecosystem. Mostly passing through uninhabited regions of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, the Chambal biosphere has largely remained untouched over the years.
However, as development catches up along the Chambal’s course, it is causing a slow extinction of the animal species dependent on this river. With limited success, the wildlife department is striving to prevent several of these species, including the gharial, crocodiles, dolphins, and rock leopards, from being wiped out.
According to data released by the wildlife department for 2020-21, the number of gharials has increased from 1859 to 2176, crocodiles went up from 710 to 882, dolphins rose from 74 to 82 and leopards increased from 24 to 80. All these animals are included in the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s list of endangered species.
Forest ranger RK Singh Rathore told India Today that the increase in the number of these animals has been a result of the forest department's campaign to make the people in neighbouring villages aware of the benefits of animal conservation. The forest department keeps an eye on the natural habitats of these animals and protects them during their mating cycle. The department’s efforts are now paying off.
Established in 1979, the Chambal Sanctuary was a natural habitat of leopards and hyenas, but a costly ecological mistake by the central government resulted in the near destruction of this sanctuary and its natives.
In 1980, the government seeded the sanctuary area with seeds of Mesquite or Juliflora trees imported from Mexico. Also known as 'Vilayati Babool', this invasive species of thorny trees resulted in the leopard population getting almost wiped out from the sanctuary, as leopards and hyenas have padded feet and the thorns of the Juliflora trees caused serious damage to their paws.
Forty years later, the Juliflora trees have been slowly cleared out and replaced with Indian flora, resulting in the return of these leopards and hyenas. The forest department is cautiously encouraging the increase in the number of these carnivores, along with the blackbucks that make up their primary diet.
