Sunabeda: From Maoist Hideout to Leopard Haven

Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary in Nuapada district, recently declared 'Maoist-free,' is emerging as a significant leopard habitat. Officials estimate the sanctuary hosts over 70 leopards, a finding supported by extensive camera trap data from the latest all-India tiger estimation exercise. This increase in leopard population and the consistent reporting of man-leopard conflict in Nuapada underscore the sanctuary's changing ecological dynamics.

The diminished Maoist presence has been crucial for enhanced conservation efforts. Wildlife personnel can now install camera traps effectively across the sanctuary, providing a clearer picture of carnivore and herbivore populations. Previously, Maoist activities hindered such monitoring, with cameras sometimes removed and camera trap placements limited due to security concerns in nearly 50% of the 600 sq km sanctuary.

This improvement contrasts with past challenges. While a 2016 state census identified four tigers in Sunabeda, the most recent national census, released in July of last year, reported no tigers in the sanctuary. Experts suggest that Maoist influence, which damaged forest infrastructure and affected personnel since 2009, likely impacted tiger conservation. The contiguous forest areas shared with Chhattisgarh's Udanti Wildlife Sanctuary, previously used by Maoists as a hideout, also presented security challenges.