This book on Leopards in the changing landscapes is based on the field experiences of the author with an animal of supreme grace, agility and adaptive capability in the adverse environment in the jungles of India. The author has tried to draw a global and national scenario of the leopard, and its prospect of conservation in the new millennium. Today, about two third the Asian leopards survive in the Indian forests. This book covers scientific and biological information on the leopard present status, physical attributes social behavior, habits and habitats, breeding ecology, hunting behavior its attack on human beings and feeding pattern its different races and subspecies.
The book contains an account of over two decades observations on the large cats in the protected areas and other areas of the forests. It is an extract of interesting pattern of behviour and habit of the animals which was observed while dealing with over two hundred cases of leopard’s attack on human beings, including about two dozen incidences of human killings in the central region of Gujarat. The dramatic events, interesting incidences and cultural linkages of the indigenous people with wildlife as observed and felt over a period, have been narrated in the book. The text of book provides an opportunity to learn the habit of the animals and circumstances which compelled them to turn man eaters.
The book-leopards in the changing landscapes is a collection of true stories of what transpired when a versatile large cat descended from hills in villages to reclaim its previous domain. As thought provoking as it is harrowing the book is a tale of corrupted nature the clash between growing civilization and shrinking wilderness a riveting story of human interaction with magnificent cats.
Contents: Foreword. 1. Introduction. 2. The leopards domain. 3. Leopard’s life. 4. Predation. 5. Poaching. 6. Leopard straying in cities in India. 7. The man eaters. 8. A leopard and the motherly cow. 9. Managing man leopard conflict. 10. Index.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR H.S. Singh
Dr. H.S. Singh (IFS-1980 batch), was born in Dewa Village (Manda) in Allahabad district in Uttar Pradesh, India in 1954. His meritorious academic record has earned him an M.Sc. and Ph.D. He held various positions in forestry and wildlife sector. These include Associate professorship at IGNFA-Dehra Dun, CF-Marine National Park, CF-Jungagadh (Wildlife Circle), Director-Gujarat Economical Education and Research Foundation, CF-Vadodara Circle and Chief Conservator of Forest, Research and Training, Gandhinagar. Prior to this book, he has written eight books on wildlife and related subjects, and prepared over a dozen scientific and research documents on the Protected Areas. He designed management plans for four Protected Areas, including the first Management Plan for Gir Protected Area. He also published over five dozen scientific papers and articles in national and international journal. Recognising his meritorious service, the Government of Gujarat awarded him Forest Service Medal on Independence Day in 1993. he won Brandis Prize in 1998 for publishing best article in the Indian Forester, and was awarded the Chaturvedi Prize thrice-in 1997, 1999 and then in 2000 by the Board of Management of the Indian Forester for publishing best articles on wildlife. The Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) Dehra Dun has awarded the ICFRE Cash Award for 1998-99 for his meritorious contribution in "Forest Conservation". As part of short term studies or member of delegation, he visited UK, Jordon, Thailand, Singapore and Australia. He served as expert member of the National Technical Committee on Mangroves, an external expert adviser on mangroves and consultant of the team of India-Canada Environment Facility (ICEF) for Final Performance Assessment of the project of MS Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), Chennai on Coastal Wetlands, member of the high level delegation of Government of India, Ministry of Environment & Forest, New Delhi to study the Coral Reef Conservation and Management in Australia and Member Secretary of the High Level Environment Expert Committee constituted by the Gujarat State on direction of the Supreme Court, on Narayan Sarovar Sanctuary.
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