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Leopard Danger: 55 Dead in Uttarakhand Human-Wildlife Conflict
6 Oct
Summary
- Human-wildlife conflicts in Uttarakhand resulted in 55 deaths and 407 injuries from Jan to Sept 30.
- Leopards caused the highest fatalities, followed by tigers, snakes, elephants, bears, and crocodiles.
- Monsoon months saw a significant rise in injuries, with nearly half reported in the last three months.
Human-wildlife conflicts in Uttarakhand have resulted in a tragic toll of 55 deaths and 407 injuries from January 1 to September 30 this year. Data from the forest department reveals that leopards were the most lethal, claiming 17 lives, while tigers were responsible for 12 fatalities. Snakes, elephants, bears, and crocodiles also contributed to the casualty count.
The monsoon months proved particularly dangerous, with 190 people injured between July and September, representing nearly half of all injuries reported this year. Scientists note that leopard attacks peak during the monsoon, whereas tiger attacks tend to increase during dry summers. These conflicts are attributed to growing wildlife populations and pressures on their habitats and corridors.
Forest officials are implementing landscape-specific action plans in conflict hotspots. These include village awareness campaigns on waste disposal, installation of solar lights in remote areas, and bio-fencing sensitive landscapes. The department is also assessing forest carrying capacities to relocate wildlife, aiming to alleviate conflict.
Last year, at least 6,000 livestock were killed by wildlife. Between January 2025 and March 2026, authorities ordered the capture of 109 problem animals, with four such leopards being eliminated.
