- Why in news
- On International Clouded Leopard Day (4 August 2026), the Environment Ministry announced the new Clouded Leopard Conservation Action Plan, released at the 91st SCNBWL meeting at Coimbatore in July 2026.
- What it is
- The Clouded Leopard is a medium-sized forest wild cat of South and Southeast Asia, known for cloud-shaped markings on its coat. In India it is found mainly in the Northeast and the Himalayan foothills. It lives in dense forests and depends on connected habitat and tree cover.
- Where released
- The plan was released at the 91st meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wild Life, held at Coimbatore.
- Priority landscapes
- The plan identifies 14 priority conservation landscapes across Northeast India.
- Funding scheme
- The species is now included under the Species Recovery Programme of the IDWH scheme.
- Monitoring methods
- Standard monitoring uses camera traps, occupancy surveys, genetics and eDNA.
- Transboundary cooperation
- The plan encourages cooperation with neighbouring range countries.
- Legal protection
- The Clouded Leopard is listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
Don’t confuse with Clouded Leopard vs Snow Leopard: The Snow Leopard is a high-altitude cat of the Himalaya and Central Asia. The Clouded Leopard is a forest cat of the Northeast and Southeast Asia.
Species and protected areas: 12 Prelims questions since 2013; they test legal status, location and the year of designation.
Why it matters
- Targets a little-studied forest cat that signals the health of Northeast forests.
- Landscape and corridor focus links species recovery with habitat connectivity.
Problems
- Poaching, wildlife trade and forest loss in the Northeast threaten the species.
- The cat is elusive, so population data are limited.
Way forward
- Apply standard monitoring across the 14 landscapes and publish the data.
- Secure corridors and community livelihoods, with cooperation across borders.
Put in your answer
Species Recovery Programme: Inclusion under IDWH Species Recovery shows the shift to species-specific funding and planning.
- 2020Mains GS1 · Q17Examine status of India's forest resources and its impact on climate change.
- 2018Mains GS3 · Q17How biodiversity varies in India, and Biological Diversity Act's role in conservation.
- 2023Mains GS1 · Q15Factors behind natural vegetation diversity in India; significance of rain forest sanctuaries.
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
Prelims practice · Statements
Ours, not from a UPSC paper
Consider the following statements:
- 1.The Clouded Leopard Conservation Action Plan was prepared under a Government of India–GEF–UNDP initiative.
- 2.The plan identifies 14 priority conservation landscapes across Northeast India.
- 3.The Clouded Leopard is classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
True or false?
1 of 7
Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.
1.The Clouded Leopard Conservation Action Plan was prepared under a Government of India–GEF–UNDP initiative.
True. The plan was prepared under the GoI–GEF–UNDP initiative.
2.The plan identifies 14 priority conservation landscapes across Northeast India.
True. 14 priority landscapes in Northeast India.
3.The species has been included under the Species Recovery Programme of the Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats scheme.
True. It is included under the IDWH Species Recovery Programme.
4.The plan was released at a meeting of the National Tiger Conservation Authority.
False. It was released at the 91st meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wild Life.
5.The plan rules out cooperation with other countries because the species is found only within India.
False. The plan encourages transboundary cooperation with neighbouring range countries; the species ranges beyond India.
6.The Clouded Leopard is listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
True. It is a Schedule I species.
7.The Clouded Leopard is classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
False. It is classified as Vulnerable.
Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.
Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.