Clouded Leopard Conservation Action Plan

On the occasion of International Clouded Leopard Day (4th August), India has reaffirmed its commitment to the conservation of one of Asia’s most elusive wild cats through the newly launched Clouded Leopard Conservation Action Plan (CAP).

Key Points

Launch: The Action Plan was released during the 91st meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (SCNBWL) held in Coimbatore in July 2026.
Objective: The plan provides a comprehensive framework for habitat protection, forest connectivity, scientific monitoring and community-based conservation of the Clouded Leopard.
Priority Landscapes: The CAP identifies 14 priority conservation landscapes across Northeast India for habitat restoration and corridor conservation.
Scientific Monitoring: It promotes the use of camera traps, occupancy surveys, genetic studies and environmental DNA (eDNA) for better monitoring of the species.
Technology Integration: The Action Plan encourages the use of the M-STrIPES application to strengthen field-level monitoring and conservation.
Institutional Support: The Clouded Leopard has been included under the Species Recovery Programme of the Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats (IDWH) scheme.