Jaipur, July 23 -- In a step towards improving wildlife conservation and managing rising human-wildlife conflict, the Rajasthan forest department is set to conduct the state's first-ever leopard census. The move aims to gain a scientific and holistic understanding of the leopard population across the state, and to formulate a long-term conservation and conflict-mitigation policy. The decision comes in the wake of a series of leopard attacks, most notably in October 2024 when a leopard killed eight people in Udaipur over 12 days and was later declared a man-eater. A similar incident occurred in 2019 in Udaipur, where another leopard had to be shot after being classified as a man-eater. In the aftermath of these attacks, the forest department had raised concerns with the National Wildlife Board, seeking essential guidance to address the growing threat posed by the expanding leopard population. "The increase in leopard numbers is not just in Rajasthan but across the country, and it is posing a growing challenge due to rising human-animal conflicts. In many cases, these attacks are fatal," a senior forest official said. The leopard population has shown a steady increase in recent years. According to the state's water hole census, 925 leopards were recorded in 2024, up from 818 in 2022, 775 in 2020, 637 in 2019, 635 in 2018, and 507 in 2017. Additionally, data from the "Status of Leopards in India-2022" report - compiled through a joint census by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), Wildlife Institute of India (WII), and state forest departments - recorded leopard presence in Rajasthan's major reserves: 167 in Sariska, 87 in Ranthambore, 49 in Mukundra Hills, and 19 in Ramgarh Vishdhari. To execute the upcoming census, the department has partnered with the Wildlife Institute of India. Preparatory meetings have been concluded, and training for field personnel will take place between August and September. The census will be conducted from October through December, covering both protected areas and general leopard habitats across Rajasthan. "This is the first time a dedicated leopard census is being conducted in the state. Currently, we lack a consolidated count, which is critical for forming a sound conservation strategy," said the official. "The census will not be limited to forests and tiger reserves - it will be state-wide." The data gathered will help frame scientifically informed policies and enhance the forest department's capacity to manage leopard populations and prevent conflicts in areas where human settlements and leopard habitats overlap....