M’rashtra 1,690 He said the leopard population had been estimated using camera trapping method. He asserted that the rise in their number following similar reports on tigers and lions showed that the country was protecting its ecology and biodiversity well. “Increase in the population of tigers, Asiatic lions and now leopards shows how India is protecting its environment, ecology and biodiversity,” he said. According to the report, India’ s leopard population in 2018 was estimated at 12,852, with Madhya Pradesh leading the pack at 3,421, followed by Karnataka 1,783 and Maharashtra 1,690. “Congratulations to the states who have recorded the highest leopard estimates. Increase in tiger, lion and leopard population over the last few years is a testimony to fledgling wildlife and biodiversity,” Javadekar added.