Bengaluru Emerges as India’s Leopard Capital

Context

Urbanisation in India has often led to habitat loss and biodiversity decline. However, Bengaluru presents a rare case of wildlife thriving on the urban fringe. A recent camera-trap survey conducted between 2024 and 2025 by the Holématthi Nature Foundation (HNF), under the leadership of conservationist Dr. Sanjay Gubbi, has identified Bengaluru as the Indian metro with the highest number of free-ranging wild leopards, surpassing Mumbai.

Survey Findings

According to the study, 80 to 85 leopards currently inhabit the forested outskirts and scrublands around Bengaluru. The Bannerghatta National Park (BNP) alone is home to 54 leopards, up from 40 in 2019, while the remaining 30 or so are distributed across adjoining green spaces.

The survey covered an area of 282 square kilometres, using over 250 camera traps. It documented 34 species of mammals, including several protected and threatened ones.

Major Areas Covered

The survey included key forest patches and wildlife corridors such as:

• Turahalli

• B.M. Kaval

• U.M. Kaval

• Roerich Estate

• Gollahalli Gudda

• Sulikere

• Hesaraghatta

• Marasandra

• Manduru and adjoining landscapes

Key Biodiversity Insights

• 8 species documented are on the IUCN Red List, including 4 Endangered and 4 Near Threatened

• 22 species are protected under Schedule I and 5 species under Schedule II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972

• Bengaluru remains one of the few metropolitan regions where apex predators and large mammals coexist with urban sprawl

Reasons for Leopard Population Growth

• Stricter protection and monitoring in Bannerghatta National Park

• Improved prey availability due to ecological management

• Positive interaction and coexistence with nearby human communities

• Historical translocation of conflict leopards possibly contributing to current population

Recommendations by HNF

• Declare B.M. Kaval, U.M. Kaval, Roerich Estate, and Gollahalli Gudda as Conservation Reserves

• Integrate Durgadakal RF, Bettahalliwade RF, and deemed forests of J.I. Bachahalli and M. Maniyambal into the Bannerghatta National Park

• Protect the Muneshwarabetta–Bannerghatta corridor, a crucial wildlife movement path

• Avoid future translocation of leopards into BNP to maintain ecological balance

• Increase community awareness to mitigate human-wildlife conflict and support corridor conservation

Significance of the Study

This study establishes Bengaluru as a rare model of urban-wildlife coexistence. It shows that large predators like leopards can survive and thrive in urban-adjacent areas, provided there is scientific conservation planning, habitat connectivity, and local community cooperation. It reinforces the importance of integrating urban development with biodiversity conservation, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 15 (Life on Land) and India’s commitments under the National Biodiversity Action Plan and the Wildlife Protection Act.