🐆 Leopard Death in Nilgiris: A Wake-Up Call for Conservation | UPSC Blog by Suryavanshi IAS
📅 Date: July 14, 2025
Location: Kattabettu forest range, Kotagiri, Tamil Nadu
Incident: A 4-year-old leopardess found dead, ensnared in a trap laid to catch wild game.
📌 What Happened?
A leopardess was found dead in the Kattabettu forest range near Kotagiri. The carcass was discovered on land owned by a local farmer, and forest officials believe the trap was originally set for smaller wild animals. A post-mortem was conducted, and a case has been filed under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
🧠 Why This Matters for UPSC Aspirants
This real-life incident is an example of human-wildlife conflict, a major theme in GS Paper III (Environment). It also intersects with:
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Biodiversity and Conservation
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Environmental governance
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Wildlife Protection Projects
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Laws and enforcement gaps
📊 Previous UPSC Questions on Related Topics
🔹 Prelims 2023
Q. Which of the following Protected Areas are located in the Cauvery basin?
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Nagarhole National Park
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Papikonda National Park
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Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve
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Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
Answer: 1, 3, and 4
🔹 Prelims 2018
Q. The term “M-STrIPES” is sometimes seen in the news in the context of
A) Captive breeding of wild fauna
B) Maintenance of tiger reserves
C) Indigenous satellite navigation system
D) Security of airports
Answer: B) Maintenance of tiger reserves
(Monitoring System for Tigers – Intensive Protection and Ecological Status)
🔹 Prelims 2017
Q. Consider the following statements:
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Animals in Project Tiger are completely protected.
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Project Leopard is a separate initiative by MoEFCC.
Which is/are correct?
A) Only 1
B) Only 2
C) Both
D) None
Answer: B) Only 2
(Project Leopard launched in 2009 as an extension to Project Tiger)
📌 Analysis: Why Are Leopard Deaths Increasing?
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Illegal traps set by locals to catch wild boar or deer often snare leopards.
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Habitat fragmentation due to agriculture and urban expansion.
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Lack of awareness and local engagement in conservation.
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Delayed response and monitoring in buffer zones.
🔍 Proposed Solutions by Suryavanshi IAS (Model Thinker for Mains)
1. Strengthen Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) Enforcement
ESZs must be clearly demarcated with no-trap zones and community surveillance.
2. Community-Based Forest Management
Involve locals in wildlife monitoring through Van Rakshaks and incentivized schemes.
3. Camera Trap + AI Surveillance
Deploy technology to monitor animal movement and human intrusion in sensitive areas.
4. Compensation & Livelihood Support
Ensure quick compensation for crop/wildlife conflict losses to reduce trap-setting behavior.
5. Rapid Response Teams
Equip forest departments with mobile vet units and GPS teams for emergency rescue.
6. Legal Action & Awareness
Enforce strict penalties under the Wildlife Protection Act (1972) and educate villagers via Panchayat-level workshops.
🧠 Mains Practice Question (GS Paper III – Environment)
Q. “Increasing cases of leopard and tiger deaths due to man-made causes indicate deep flaws in India’s wildlife conservation model.”
Discuss with reference to Project Leopard and legal measures under Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Suggest community-based and technological solutions. (250 words)
📚 Quick Facts for Prelims
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Project Leopard | Started in 2009 by MoEFCC to ensure leopard conservation in Tiger Reserves and beyond |
| Leopard Status | Schedule I, Wildlife Protection Act; Vulnerable under IUCN Red List |
| Tamil Nadu Hotspots | Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, Sathyamangalam, Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve |
| Relevant Law | Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 – Sections 9 & 11 prohibit killing or trapping of Schedule I species |
This incident is not just about the loss of a wild animal—it is about the fragile relationship between humans and nature. As future policymakers, UPSC aspirants must think beyond facts and into sustainable, inclusive, and technology-driven conservation models.
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