Why in news?
On Global Tiger Day 2025, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change released a report titled “Status of Small Cats in Tiger Landscapes of India.” Conducted by the Wildlife Institute of India using data from the All‑India Tiger Estimation of 2018 and 2022, the study assessed nine species of small wild cats living alongside tigers.
What is the report about?
This is the first national assessment of lesser‑known felids across India’s tiger ranges. It maps their distribution, estimates occupancy and explores how human disturbance affects them. The species studied include the jungle cat, rusty‑spotted cat, leopard cat, desert cat, fishing cat, clouded leopard, marbled cat, Asiatic golden cat and caracal.
Key findings
- The jungle cat and the rusty‑spotted cat were found to be the most widespread, inhabiting deciduous forests and even human‑modified landscapes.
- Leopard cats occurred mainly in moist forests of the north‑eastern hills, the Himalayan foothills and the Sundarbans.
- The desert cat was restricted to semi‑arid and dry forests of western and central India.
- The fishing cat depended on wetlands, riverine areas and mangroves in the Terai and north‑east; wetland loss threatens its survival.
- The clouded leopard, marbled cat and Asiatic golden cat were confined to dense evergreen forests of north‑east India and were rarely detected.
- No caracal was detected during the survey period in its historical range across north‑western and central India, raising concerns about its status.
Ecological insights
- Small cat occupancy dropped sharply with increasing human activity, except for adaptable species like the jungle cat.
- Protected areas acted as refuges; all species showed higher presence inside reserves, confirming that tiger landscapes also safeguard other fauna.
- Some species, like fishing cats and leopard cats, were strongly linked to specific habitats such as wetlands or dense forests, highlighting the need for habitat‑specific conservation.
Policy implications
- Wildlife planning should include small carnivores in reserve, buffer and corridor design rather than focusing solely on flagship species like tigers.
- Regular monitoring of small cats needs to be integrated into the national tiger monitoring programme.
- Protecting wetlands and mangroves is vital for species such as the fishing cat; region‑specific action plans are needed for habitat specialists like the desert cat and marbled cat.
- Awareness programmes and educational curricula can help the public appreciate the ecological roles of these lesser‑known felids.
Conclusion
The study underscores that tiger reserves are biodiversity hotspots that shelter a host of smaller carnivores. It calls for inclusive conservation strategies that recognise the ecological importance of all species, not just the charismatic ones.