Syllabus listing: environment and ecology

 

Why in news?

Released recently by the Environment Ministry.

Key findings:

• 60 percent rise in Leopard population across the Country; India now has 12,852 leopards.

• The States of Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra recorded the highest leopard estimates at 3,421, 1,783 and 1,690 respectively.

• As for region-wise distribution, the highest number of 8,071 leopards were found in central India and the Eastern Ghats

• Increase in the population of tigers, Asiatic lions and now leopards, shows how India is protecting its environment, ecology and biodiversity,

About leopard:

• Listed in Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

• Included in Appendix I of CITES.

• Listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

• Nine subspecies of the leopard have been recognized, and they are distributed across Africa and Asia.

 

Soure: The Hindu