Shillong, Aug 4: On International Clouded Leopard Day, Meghalaya today launched its most ambitious conservation drive yet with Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma announcing “Mission Clouded Leopard”, a dedicated programme to protect the Clouded Leopard, the State Animal.
The Mission was unveiled at the Main Secretariat here and will serve as an integrated framework to secure the future of the elusive forest cat. It covers habitat protection and restoration, scientific research, long-term monitoring, stronger protection against poaching, improving landscape connectivity, training frontline forest staff, community participation, public awareness and cross-border collaboration with other Northeastern states.
The programme will be guided by the Meghalaya Clouded Leopard Action Plan, which the Forest and Environment Department is now preparing as the strategic roadmap for the species.
The Clouded Leopard, listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 2008 and protected under Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 and Appendix I of CITES, is known locally as Maccha Pheng in Garo, Lakrong in Khasi and Khla in Jaintia. Arboreal, nocturnal and extremely shy, it is regarded as a key indicator of forest health because of its role as a top predator that keeps prey populations in balance.
Meghalaya holds some of India’s finest remaining habitats for the species in Nokrek, Balpakram, Baghmara, Narpuh and Nongkhyllem, along with extensive community forests. These areas, however, are under stress from fragmentation, loss of connectivity, illegal hunting and snaring, dwindling prey and climate change.
In a major boost to the new Mission, preliminary results from the ongoing scientific assessment have identified 21 individual Clouded Leopards in the Balpakram landscape. Officials said the finding is significant given how difficult the species is to track. The assessment is now being extended to all major Clouded Leopard habitats in the state to arrive at the first comprehensive population estimate, which will guide conservation planning and habitat management under the Mission.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister urged every section of society to come forward. “I call upon our traditional institutions, local communities, youth, researchers, conservation organisations and every citizen of Meghalaya to join hands in safeguarding our State Animal,” he said.
With “Mission Clouded Leopard” now in motion, Meghalaya has put its State Animal at the centre of its forest and wildlife agenda, aiming to ensure that the spotted ghost of the hills continues to roam its forests for generations to come.
