Uttarakhand Records Disturbing Loss of 749 Leopards and 86 Tigers in Five Years
According to data obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, Uttarakhand has suffered a significant loss of its large carnivore population over the past five years. The state forest department's figures, shared with Noida-based RTI activist Amit Gupta on January 19, reveal that from 2020 to 2025, the state lost 749 leopards and 86 tigers. This alarming trend highlights ongoing challenges in wildlife protection and conservation efforts in the region.
Historical Context and Recent Mortality Peaks
To put these numbers into perspective, since Uttarakhand was carved out of Uttar Pradesh in the year 2000, approximately 235 tigers and around 1,500 leopards have died, as per earlier information provided by the state forest department to media outlets. The RTI data specifically indicates that the years 2022 and 2024 were particularly devastating for these majestic animals. In 2022, the state recorded the deaths of 22 tigers, while in 2024, it saw 114 leopard fatalities, marking these periods as high-mortality years for large carnivores.
Detailed Breakdown of Causes and Activist Concerns
The RTI reply provides a detailed year-wise breakdown of the deaths. For tigers, the figures are as follows: six in 2020, 13 in 2021, nine in 2022, 22 in 2023, 16 in 2024, and 19 in 2025. Among the total tiger deaths, causes included seven attributed to road accidents, two to poaching, 21 to mutual fights, 40 to natural causes, and 16 to unknown reasons.
Leopard mortality showed a similar pattern, with 138 deaths in 2020, 108 in 2021, 121 in 2022, 134 in 2023, 146 in 2024, and 123 in 2025. The causes for leopard deaths were diverse: 51 due to road accidents, 81 from other accidents, six from snaring, 140 from mutual fights, 185 from natural causes, and a staggering 255 listed under unknown causes.
Raising serious concerns over wildlife protection and monitoring, Amit Gupta pointed out that these figures expose significant gaps in investigation, post-mortem procedures, and accountability. "Unknown causes continue to be reported even in recent years, reflecting gaps in investigation mechanisms. Natural deaths remain consistently high, while recurring road and train accidents highlight the impact of linear infrastructure cutting through forest patches and wildlife corridors," he emphasized.
Forest Department's Response and Population Trends
In response to these findings, Vivek Pandey, additional principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) for the Uttarakhand forest department, offered a different perspective. He stated, "The tiger and leopard populations in Uttarakhand have been steadily increasing due to the joint efforts of the forest department and local communities. Deaths where the cause cannot be conclusively determined are categorised as 'unknown'."
Supporting this claim, the RTI data also shows positive population trends. Uttarakhand's tiger population has risen from 178 in 2006 to 560 in 2022, while the leopard population increased from 2,092 in 2003 to 2,927 in 2023. This indicates that despite the high mortality rates, conservation efforts have contributed to overall growth in numbers, though the loss of individual animals remains a critical issue.
Implications for Wildlife Conservation in Uttarakhand
The data underscores the complex challenges facing wildlife conservation in Uttarakhand. While population increases are a positive sign, the high number of deaths, particularly from unknown causes and accidents, suggests that more robust monitoring and protective measures are needed. The impact of infrastructure development on wildlife corridors is a recurring theme, as evidenced by the significant number of road and train accidents.
This situation calls for enhanced collaboration between forest authorities, local communities, and activists to address the gaps in investigation and accountability. Strengthening post-mortem procedures and improving infrastructure planning to minimize wildlife conflicts could be key steps in reducing future mortality rates and ensuring the long-term survival of these iconic species in Uttarakhand's forests.
