Survey confirms leopard presence in Kansal forest

A leopard was spotted in the Kansal area of the Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary during a wildlife survey carried out by the UT Department of Forests and Wildlife in collaboration with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun.

The leopard was captured by a camera trap laid by WII as part of the wildlife census conducted from November 20 to 27 in the Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary and other forest areas, including Botanical Garden, Sukhna Choe reserve forest, and lake forest in the city.

Saurabh Kumar, Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden, UT, stated that after completion of the eight-day survey, the WII presented its key findings during a conference on November 28.

“One of the camera traps captured a leopard in the Kansal forest area, confirming the presence of a large carnivore in the sanctuary,” he said, adding that the WII team had collected all data from camera traps, direct encounters, point surveys and other methods and was analysing it. The final report is expected by January 31. He also requested the WII to submit a month-wise plan specifying appropriate timeframes for future wildlife surveys.

During the survey, the WII recorded 14 species of mammals, compared to 13 in the 2021 survey. Similarly, 117 species of birds were identified, up from 67 in 2021. As many as 70 species of butterflies were recorded this time, compared to 56 in 2021. For the first time, a survey of the herpetofauna group was conducted, recording nine species -- seven reptiles and two amphibians.

The survey also documented 40 major tree species, 10 major shrub species and three major grass species. On techniques used, Kumar said sign surveys, line transects and camera trapping were used for mammals; point count and audio moth methods for birds; visual encounter and active search for herpetofauna; time-bound methods for butterflies; and nested quadrat plots for vegetation.

Spread over 2,600 hectares in the UT, the sanctuary has numerous waterholes, grazing grounds and good plantation, providing an ideal habitat for wildlife.