Guwahati: On Global Tiger Day, a new study has turned the spotlight not on tigers but on their elusive smaller cousins—the lesser-known wild cats of India—revealing that the forests of Northeast India are now among the most crucial habitats for their survival.
The Status of Small Cats in the Tiger Landscapes of India report, released today by the Wildlife Institute of India and the National Tiger Conservation Authority, provides the first comprehensive assessment of nine small cat species across India. Using extensive camera trap data from the All-India Tiger Estimation surveys of 2018 and 2022, the study shows that while jungle cats and rusty-spotted cats thrive across multiple landscapes, the Northeast has become the last refuge for some of the world’s rarest felines.
Despite their ecological importance, small felids remain understudied and underrepresented in conservation planning. The report presents the occupancy status and dynamics of nine small cat species across India’s tiger-range forests, using data from the All-India Tiger Estimation (2018 and 2022).
“The three rare and elusive species—clouded leopard, marbled cat, and Asiatic golden cat—were limited to the dense forests of Northeast India,” the study states.
The findings reveal that the clouded leopard, Asiatic golden cat, and marbled cat—all globally threatened and rarely seen—are almost entirely restricted to dense forests in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Meghalaya. The clouded leopard, for instance, recorded its highest occupancy in the Pakke-Nameri cluster, Namdapha–Kamlang landscapes, and Manas Tiger Reserve. Meanwhile, the Asiatic golden cat showed strong presence in Namdapha, Kamlang, and Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary, though worrying declines were noted in parts of Arunachal and Mizoram.
“Highest occupancy of Asiatic golden cats was recorded in the Namdapha–Kamlang cluster, followed by the Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary and Dampa Tiger Reserve. Moderate occupancy levels were observed in Pakke and Neora Valley, while Manas, Buxa, and Nameri Tiger Reserves showed relatively low occupancy. Occupancy of the species was relatively higher in evergreen forests in Northeast India,” the study noted.
Asiatic golden cat occupancy probability remained consistent in Pakke, followed by Namdapha, Buxa, and Dampa Tiger Reserves. Higher probabilities of colonisation were observed in Nameri, Kamlang, and Buxa.
However, a decline in occupancy was noted in parts of Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary, Namdapha, Kamlang, and Dampa Tiger Reserves. These patterns highlight the species’ association with dense, rugged habitats and underscore the importance of conserving the hill landscapes of Northeast India.
The clouded leopard is one of the most heavily targeted species in illegal wildlife trading; therefore, it is mostly found in areas with dense forests and minimal human disturbance. “Highest occupancy of clouded leopard was found in the Pakke-Nameri cluster, Dampa, Kamlang-Namdapha cluster, and Manas, followed by Buxa Tiger Reserve. Moderate occupancy of the species was found in Kaziranga Tiger Reserve, Gorumara and Neora Valley National Parks, and the southeastern part of Manas and the northwestern part of Buxa Tiger Reserve. Clouded leopard occupancy was found to be low in Jaldapara National Park, Dibang and Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuaries, and Orang Tiger Reserve,” the report said.
The marbled cat exhibited a very low photo-capture rate, reflecting its elusive nature and likely low population density. “Marbled cat showed high occupancy in dense and hilly forests. The highest occupancy was recorded in the Namdapha–Kamlang cluster and Dampa Tiger Reserve, followed by Neora Valley National Park and Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary. Moderate occupancy was observed in Pakke Tiger Reserve. In contrast, low occupancy was found in Buxa, Manas, and Nameri Tiger Reserves, as well as Jaldapara and Gorumara National Parks,” the report said.
Equally significant is the status of the fishing cat, a species closely tied to wetlands and riverine habitats. “The study confirms that Assam’s floodplains and the Northeast’s marshes continue to be a critical lifeline for this globally threatened species. However, increased human footprint, habitat degradation, and wetland loss pose urgent challenges,” the study said.
As India celebrates its tiger conservation success story, the new findings serve as a timely reminder that the survival of small cats may depend on the forests and wetlands of the Northeast—and on how quickly conservation efforts expand to include them.
Also Read: Assam: Rare Marbled Cat spotted in first time in Kakoi Reserve Forest
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