Abundance and distribution of leopards and prey species (wild and domestic) within low, medium and high human-leopard conflict zones of Pauri Garhwal were estimated. Trails ranging from 2 to 4 kms were identified and monitored throughout the year within Intensive Study Area (ISA) of each conflict zone. We monitored trails in selected ISA (ca, 20km2) of each conflict category. Leopard signs such as scats, scraps/tracks and prey species tracks were collected systematically on each trail. Trails were more frequently used by leopards in high conflict areas and visits were shorter and less frequent in low conflict zones. We collected scats from high (66), medium (39) and low (35) conflict zones and work is in progress on determining food habits. Average scat encounter rate was 1.6 per km, in high conflict areas whereas it was 1.1/km, in medium zone and 0.97 per km in low conflict areas. Leopard scraps were placed randomly on trails and average scrape frequency was 4.2 per km in high conflicts areas where it was 3.07 in medium and 2.8 per km in low conflict areas. Using camera-trapping techniques intensively in high conflict areas, we recorded information on current population and sex ratio of leopards. Leopard population in high conflict area is roughly estimated to be 3 to 4/ 10km2. The photographic data suggest that porcupine and wild boars were the important prey species in all the conflict zones. Of the 120 camera trap nights used in high and low conflict zones, 14 wild boars and 9 porcupines pictures were taken in low conflict areas whereas 11 wild boars, 8 porcupines were photographed in high conflict areas. Among wild prey species, we recorded wild boar, porcupine, barking deer and pheasants from all three-conflict zones and their number appears to be low in all categories. Roadside counts were carried in all three conflict zones to estimate the relative abundance of livestock. Numbers of livestock was surprisingly varying within three conflict zones and it was highest in low conflict areas. During road side monitoring (5-7pm) nine leopards were sighted of which 5 sighting were from high conflict areas. Analysis of scats (n=112) revealed that large proportion of prey for leopard (70%) includes livestock and dogs.

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