Uttarakhand recorded 2,046 human attacks involving tigers and leopards between 2000 and 2019, with a new study warning that shrinking habitats, expanding infrastructure and recovering big cat populations could make human-wildlife conflict more frequent and difficult to manage. The research found that conflict risks were particularly high where settlements, roads, agricultural areas and other human activities overlapped with forests, wildlife corridors and predator habitats. The study recorded 1,914 leopard attacks during the two-decade period, including 427 deaths. Leopard attacks were reported across all 13 districts of Uttarakhand. Pauri Garhwal accounted for the largest share, with 21.63 per cent of reported attacks and 28.64 per cent of fatalities. Almora and Tehri Garhwal followed among the districts reporting significant numbers of leopard-related incidents.

Tiger attacks were less frequent but had a high fatality rate. The study documented 132 tiger attacks between 2000 and 2019, resulting in 46 deaths, or a fatality rate of 34.8 per cent. Nainital recorded the highest concentration of tiger incidents, accounting for 65.15 per cent of attacks and 43.48 per cent of deaths recorded during the period. Researchers linked the increase in tiger attacks over the two decades partly to the recovery and growth of Uttarakhand's tiger population. The research is being conducted by doctoral scholar Amandeep Rathi under the guidance of former Uttarakhand Chief Wildlife Warden Rajiv Bhartari and wildlife scientist Dr Y.V. Jhala. Rathi said the state is experiencing the recovery of large carnivore populations at the same time as rapid expansion of infrastructure, industry and tourism. This combination, he said, increases the likelihood of encounters between people and wildlife as human activity extends into or near areas used by predators.

The study also identified differences in the circumstances surrounding attacks by the two species. Leopards were found to attack more frequently around villages, farms, roads and forest edges, where human activity directly overlaps with their habitat. Tiger attacks, by comparison, were concentrated more heavily in forests, protected areas and wildlife corridors. The seasonal pattern also varied, with leopard attacks increasing during the monsoon while tiger encounters were more common in summer. Age and vulnerability were additional factors identified by the researchers. Children were found to be particularly vulnerable to leopard attacks, while adults experienced higher fatality rates in encounters involving tigers. Researchers said attacks involving both species increased over the period examined, underscoring the need for strategies that account for differences in habitat, behaviour, seasonality and the communities most exposed to encounters.

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Rathi said the findings point to the need for stronger early-warning mechanisms and better preparedness in areas at high risk of conflict. The study recommends trained rapid-response teams, safer livelihood practices and faster compensation and grievance-redressal systems. Such measures could help communities respond more quickly when predators move close to settlements and reduce the consequences of encounters. Bhartari, who served as Uttarakhand's chief wildlife warden from 2019 to 2020, said the state had worked on developing strategies to mitigate human-wildlife conflict. He said comprehensive data covering the two decades since Uttarakhand was formed was gathered to better understand the pattern of incidents. "Investment in research and data is essential for developing effective solutions to human-wildlife conflict," Bhartari said.

The findings highlight a difficult conservation challenge for Uttarakhand. Recovering tiger and leopard populations are an important conservation success, but their coexistence with a growing human population and expanding development requires careful planning. Roads, tourism facilities, settlements and agricultural activity can fragment habitats and increase the points of contact between people and predators. The study suggests that reducing conflict will require more than responding after attacks occur. Mapping high-risk areas, improving early warnings, strengthening response teams and ensuring timely assistance to affected families could help reduce risks while supporting wildlife conservation. As Uttarakhand continues to expand its infrastructure and tourism sector, managing the overlap between human activity and predator habitats is likely to become increasingly important.

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