The study by a group of conservationists documented 420 seizures of leopard skins, bones and body parts between 2001 and 2010, and reached the conclusion.
The northern India state of Uttarakhand is the biggest source for leopard parts while the national capital is the hub of illegal trade, the study said.
"We were quite surprised that despite all this evidence being there, leopards are being killed and traded illegally in such massive numbers and with such regularity. It is so surprising that (the) public, media or government have not really absorbed the fact," said Rashid Raza, a team member.
"Because the leopard also enters into conflict (with humans) and that seems to occupy the public imagination and public space, this particular aspect (on illegal trade and killing) has fallen into our collective blind spot. It is there in front of us but it hasn`t registered," he added.
The total number of leopards in India is estimated at 10,000.
Xinhua
Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
