Series of man-animal conflicts, steps to boost wildlife mark '24

As 2024 draws to an end, the wildlife sector in Rajasthan witnessed a year marked by both tragedy and progress.

- Sachin Saini

JAIPUR: From a series of deadly leopard attacks to notable conservation achievements, the flora and fauna of the state have faced its share of challenges and triumphs.

In the first half of the year, Rajasthan faced alarming challenges, including a series of deadly leopard attacks in the Udaipur region that left 10 people dead, and tiger attacks in areas bordering the Sariska Tiger Reserve. These attacks brought to light the persistent man-animal conflict and the expanding wildlife population.

In parallel, the state was thrust into an ongoing crisis involving the mysterious disappearance of tigers in the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, heightening concerns about the safety and management of one of India's most famous wildlife reserves.

However, the state also made substantial progress in wildlife conservation. The ambitious "Project Cheetah", aimed at reintroducing the endangered cheetah to India, took major steps forward in Rajasthan. Efforts to revive the cheetah population gained momentum, with plans to establish a trans-state conservation complex across the Kuno-Gandhi Sagar landscapes in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

Furthermore, the state gained global attention with the recognition of the Ramgarh Crater as India's first geo-heritage site, underscoring Rajasthan's commitment to preserving its natural and geological treasures.

Leopard attacks in Udaipur

The year recorded a wave of leopard attacks in the Udaipur region, particularly in the rural areas of Jhadol, Gogunda and Badgaon. These attacks, which occurred within a 35-km radius, claimed the lives of at least 10 people. The majority of the fatalities took place in Gogunda, with seven deaths being recorded, Jhadol saw two, and Badgaon reported one.