There has been an unprecedented discovery recently in the high Himalayan areas of Arunachal Pradesh. Here for the first time the picture of Pallas’s Cat is captured in the camera. This achievement is considered a milestone in the field of wildlife conservation. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-India) conducted the survey between July to September 2024 with the help of State Forest Department and local communities. WWF-India installed 136 camera traps in 83 places in areas with height spread over 2,000 square kilometers of West Combin and Tawang districts. The project was funded by the UK government through Darwin Initiative. The purpose of this survey was- Understanding the Himalayan ecology and the diversity of cats found there. The team was led by Rohan Pandit, Taku Sai, Nissam Luxome and Pamba Tsering Romo, while the guidance was given by Rishi Kumar Sharma (Head of Science and Conservation, Himalayan Program, WWF-India).
Palus Cat, also known as “Manul”, is one of the world’s lowest study and one of the lowest wild cats. This species falls in the “Least Concern” category in the red list of IUCN, but very little information about it is available. Its presence in Arunachal has carried forward its known area further. Earlier it was recorded only in Sikkim, Bhutan and eastern Nepal. Here it was recorded at an altitude of about 5,000 meters, which is close to its global maximum of 5,050 meters.
Other rare species were also recorded
In addition to the Palus Cat in this survey, many more amazing records were revealed- Common leopard at 4,600 meters, clouded leopard at 4,650 meters, Marble Cat 4,326 m at 4,326 meters, Himalayan Wood Ol at 4,194 meters, Gray-Headed Flying Squarel 4,506 meters. These figures can be counted not only in India but also globally in the highest elevation. An interesting incident was also seen during the survey that Snow Leopard and Common Leopard left the aroma (sticing) at the same place. This shows that these big cats can share high Himalayan houses.
Local community role
Local guides and Brokpa Charwaha community played an important role in this survey. Pictures of his life and animal husbandry were also captured in cameras, which made it clear that traditional animal husbandry and wild life can live together. “Palus Cat’s discovery is a major achievement for the Eastern Himalayas. The active participation of the local community shows that protection, traditional knowledge and livelihood together can save a delicate mountain ecosystem together,” said Nilayang Tom, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden of Arunachal Pradesh. WWF-India has been doing protection work in Western Arunachal Landscape since 2004. This includes the safety of Snow Leopard and Red Panda, conservation of high Himalayan Wetlands and community protected area models in collaboration with the Monpa community.
