Kunopalpur witnesses rise in wildlife population

Date :05-Mar-2020

 

 

By Ankita Garg :

 

Leopard population increased from 3 to 65 within 15 years

 

12 rare bird species, including Brown Fish Owl, spotted at Kunopalpur 

 

Kunopalpur Wildlife Sanctuary that was earlier developed for translocation of Asiatic lions from Gujarat has witnessed sudden increase in population carnivores as well as herbivores. Especially, the population of leopard has been augmented by manifold. In past fifteen years, population of leopard has been amplified by 20 folds. If you talk about herbivores like bear, cheetal, deer, jackal, etc, they are in higher number. There are also many rare species sighted in Kunopalpur forest cover.

 

State Forest Research Institute, Jabalpur, has conducted wildlife census at Kunopalpur during year 2019. The census was held with the help of National Wildlife Institute, Dehradun. As per the census report, there are more than 1.30 lakh wildlife in Kuno jungle. Shocking facts revealed in this survey was population of leopard around 65. During year 2006, there were only three leopards in the sanctuary then during year 2014 there population increased to 35. In the fresh estimation plan, experts found the proof of 65 leopards in the sanctuary area. In past fifteen years population of leopard augmented from 3 to 65. Inhabitants of spotted deer and Sambhar has touched the boundary of 30,000 while Chinkara, four-horned antelope, black buck, jackal, bear, blue bull, etc are in thousands.

 

A tiger migrated from Ranthambore Wildlife Sanctuary of Rajasthan has also formed its territory in Kunopalpur for past ix years. It is said to be strongest tiger in India. J S Chauhan, APCCF wildlife wing, MP Forest Department, said, “Jungle of Kunopalpur was developed to bring the lions but meanwhile, several species have witnessed big rise in their population. There is surprised population of leopard in Kuno jungle and several rare species have been spotted there.”

 

In November 2019, bird census was also conducted at Kunopalpur in which more than 200 species were found. In this estimation plan, 174 species of birds were enlisted including 12 rare species, Brown Fish Owl that is very rare in Madhya Pradesh was also spotted in Kunopalpur during the census. Such species of owl is found only in Uttarakhand. Kunopalpur was developed for translocation of Asiatic lions from Gujarat during 1990s. Government also relocated 23 villages for the project lion. However, relocation of lion remained in doldrums due to several controversies by Gujarat state. Meanwhile, other species including leopards witnessed population rise I Kuno jungle.

 https://www.thehitavada.com/Encyc/2020/3/5/Kunopalpur-witnesses-rise-in-wildlife-population.html