Shillong, August 4: The Meghalaya Government on Tuesday launched Mission Clouded Leopard, a flagship conservation programme aimed at protecting the Clouded Leopard (Neofelis nebulosa), the State Animal of Meghalaya, on the occasion of International Clouded Leopard Day.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma announced the initiative, which seeks to secure viable populations of the elusive big cat across the State through habitat protection, scientific research, long-term monitoring, strengthened anti-poaching measures, improved forest connectivity, capacity building of frontline staff, community participation and public awareness. The programme will also promote collaboration with neighbouring North Eastern states for landscape-level conservation.
The mission will be guided by the Meghalaya Clouded Leopard Action Plan, which is being prepared by the Forest and Environment Department as the strategic roadmap for conserving the species.
The Clouded Leopard is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, enjoys the highest protection under Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, and is listed in Appendix I of CITES. Locally, the species is known as Maccha Pheng in Garo, Lakrong in Khasi and Khla in Jaintia. As an arboreal and nocturnal predator, it plays a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of forests.
According to the government, Meghalaya is home to some of the country’s most important habitats for the species, including Nokrek, Balpakram, Baghmara, Narpuh, Nongkhyllem, and extensive community-managed forests. However, these habitats continue to face threats from habitat fragmentation, declining ecological connectivity, illegal hunting, snaring, shrinking prey populations and climate change.
The government also revealed that an ongoing scientific assessment has preliminarily identified 21 individual Clouded Leopards in the Balpakram landscape. The survey is now being expanded to other major habitats across Meghalaya to establish the State’s first comprehensive population estimate, which will guide future conservation planning and monitoring.
Calling for collective action, the Chief Minister urged traditional institutions, local communities, youth, researchers, conservation organisations and citizens to join hands in safeguarding Meghalaya’s State Animal for future generations.
