The Government of Meghalaya has launched Mission Clouded Leopard, a dedicated conservation programme to protect the Mainland Clouded Leopard, the State Animal of Meghalaya, and conserve its forest habitat.

Key Highlights

• Mission Clouded Leopard was launched by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma to ensure the long-term conservation of the species and its habitat.
• The mission operates under the Meghalaya Forest and Environment Department and will be guided by the Meghalaya Clouded Leopard Action Plan, which is currently being prepared.
• The mission aims to protect and restore habitats, strengthen scientific research and long-term monitoring, improve anti-poaching measures, enhance landscape connectivity, build the capacity of frontline forest staff, promote community participation, and create public awareness.
• An ongoing scientific survey in Balpakram National Park has identified 21 individual clouded leopards, and similar assessments will be extended across Meghalaya to estimate the state’s total population.

About the Mainland Clouded Leopard

• Scientific Name: Neofelis nebulosa
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN: Vulnerable
  • Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I
  • Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES): Appendix I

• • Scientific Name: Neofelis nebulosa
  • Type: Medium-sized wild cat; considered an ancient evolutionary link between big cats (Pantherinae) and small cats (Felinae).

• It is distinct from the Sunda clouded leopard, which is found on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra.

• Distribution: Found in Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Taiwan, and southern China.
• Distribution in India: Found mainly in the NE States of Meghalaya, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, Sikkim and the northern fringes of West Bengal.
• Key Habitats in Meghalaya: Nokrek National Park, Balpakram National Park, Baghmara Reserve Forest, Narpuh Wildlife Sanctuary, Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary etc.

Habitat

• Prefers dense tropical and subtropical forests, foothill forests and montane forests.
• Found at elevations up to 2,743 metres.

Major Threats

• Habitat loss and fragmentation due to deforestation, mining, agriculture and infrastructure development.
• Poaching and illegal wildlife trade.
• Human–wildlife conflict and decline in prey species.

Other Conservation Initiative 

• The Wildlife Institute of India recently released the Conservation Action Plan for the Caracal, Fishing Cat and Clouded Leopard.

• Aim: To protect habitats, restore forest connectivity, establish scientific population estimates, and promote community-based conservation.
• Key Features: Identifies 14 priority conservation landscapes across Northeast India, West Bengal and Bihar.

• Promotes scientific monitoring using camera traps, environmental DNA (eDNA), genetic sampling and occupancy surveys.
• Focuses on restoring wildlife corridors to reconnect isolated populations.
• Encourages community participation, anti-poaching measures and sustainable livelihoods.
• Promotes transboundary conservation with Bhutan, Myanmar and Nepal.

One-line Revision

The Clouded Leopard is a Vulnerable Schedule I species of Northeast India’s forests, protected through a Conservation Action Plan focusing on habitat connectivity, scientific monitoring and community-led conservation.

Major Threats

• Habitat loss and fragmentation due to infrastructure development, mining, agriculture and human settlements.
• Illegal hunting and wildlife trade for skins and body parts.
• Decline in prey population, road development, human disturbance and climate change.

Related Conservation Initiative

• The Wildlife Institute of India recently released the Conservation Action Plan for the Caracal, Fishing Cat and Clouded Leopard, which aims to secure viable, connected and genetically healthy populations of these species while conserving their forest ecosystems.

Exam Hook – Prelims Question

Q. With reference to the Mainland Clouded Leopard (Neofelis nebulosa), consider the following statements:

1. It is listed as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
2. It receives the highest legal protection under Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
3. Meghalaya is the first Indian state to launch a dedicated conservation mission for the species.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) 1 and 3 only

Answer: (c)

One-line Wrap

Mission Clouded Leopard reflects Meghalaya’s commitment to conserving one of India’s most elusive big cats through science-based conservation, habitat protection and community participation.