Rudrapur, Feb. 22 -- The Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR) administration is planning to start leopard safari in its landscape with the aim of reducing the pressure of housed and rescued leopards in Dhela rescue centre as well as to earn funds to maintain the safari's infrastructure and to meet leopards' daily necessities, officials aware of the matter said on Saturday. CTR has a rescue centre in the Dhela zone where 12 tigers and 13 leopards are housed. "Man and animal conflicts escalated recently and such problematic big cats are caught and housed in rescue centres to avert any untoward incidents in the future. Since the number of leopards are increasing day by day therefore we are planning to start a leopard safari in our landscape," said Saket Badola, director, CTR. "Though, the project will need a lot of formalities and permission therefore the leopard safari project will take time. After permission from the state and central government, the area of the safari will be identified and fencing will be erected. The landscape of the safari shouldn't be dense so that tourists may spot the leopards easily," Badola said. As per estimation, at least 100-hectare area will be required for the safari, said the director. "Its aim is to reduce the pressure of housed and rescued leopards in Dhela rescue centre. Such leopards will be released in the fenced area providing them with natural habitat. If the safari starts in the future not only tourists will enjoy it but it will also earn funds to CTR which will be spent on the maintenance of the safari's infrastructure and in providing food to the leopards," Badola said....