Indore: In the last one year leopards attacked animals 28 times in three forest ranges of the Indore forest division—Mhow, Manpur and Choral. Shrinking forest cover due to implementation of the forest right act is said to be the main reason behind leopard venturing out in inhabited areas in search of game.

Manpur was the worst hit as the range witnessed 14 intrusions by the spotted felines within 12 months.

In Mhow range, the forest department has 12,275 hectares of forestland, in Manpur 12018 hectare forest land and 22000 hectares in Choral range.

From June 2011 to till date, the department has distributed land pattas of 141 hectare in Mhow, 270 hectare in Manpur and 180 hectare in Choral range. The beneficiaries were already in possession of forestland prior to 2005.

Sources from the forest department told DNA that apart from possession of land offered under the act, 500 hectares forestland is in illegal possession of the locals. Total 10% forest land has been destroyed due to this reason coupled with illegal felling of trees, resulting in shrinking habitat for leopards.

Wildlife expert Dr Sudhir Khetawat told DNA that the shrinking habitat of spotted felines is forcing them to move towards residential areas. Prey base of the leopards has also declined drastically in the last few years.

However, forest department has denied this. Satellite images suggest that forest areas are getting dense, claimed SDO OP Rawat. He added that villagers take cattle for grazing in forest areas which results in frequent leopard attacks.