Study of leopard menace, food habits and habitat parameters in Mandi Distrcit, Himachal Pradesh.

Abstract

This study deals status, distribution and relative abundance of leopard in relation to habitat characteristics of leopard. Estimation of status of leopard population and its distribution become more important in an area when a species is highly threatened due to continuous habitat degradation and loss of habitat due to the increasing human population. Many carnivore species are rare or elusive, and documenting their distribution is difficult. Habitat requirement is also one of the most important factors which influence the distribution and abundance of a species, therefore habitat evaluation is a vital step in the formulation of carnivore management in an area. Large carnivores need large areas of relatively wild habitat. The assessment of nature and extent of man leopard conflict in relation to land use pattern. Carnivores exert a profound influence on biological communities via predation and interspecific competition. Human-carnivore conflict is considered to be a major conservation and rural livelihood issue because many carnivore species have been heavily persecuted due to elevated conflict levels with communities. Present study documented about the enormity of the problem, problem areas and human casualties and livestock depredation with respect to places of occurrence, season, time and circumstances of attack. It would help plan mitigation of leopard problem, besides conservation and future scientific management of the species in Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh