Community Conserved Area workshop on wild cat conservation held in Khonoma

Published on Apr 28, 2025

Participants of the first Community Conservation Area workshop, focused on the conservation of the clouded leopard and other small wild cat species in Nagaland, pose for a group photo in Khonoma village.
DIMAPUR — The first Community Conserved Area (CCA) workshop, focusing on the conservation of the clouded leopard and other small wild cat species in Nagaland, was held on April 26 and 27 in Khonoma village.
According to an update, the workshop was initiated by Giridhar Malla, a conservation biologist and leader of the Eastern Himalayas Marbled Cat Project.
The primary aim of the workshop was to promote the conservation of small wild cats in Nagaland and enhance understanding of their ecological value within local landscapes.
The sessions included presentations on small wild cat species found in Nagaland, the role and importance of CCAs, success stories of conservation initiatives in Nagaland, an introduction to citizen science, techniques for identifying wildlife signs, and the use of camera traps.
Interactive group activities were also conducted, focusing on forest corridor management within CCAs, habitat restoration, and the development of local conservation strategies.

A SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis exercise was carried out, during which participants discussed key challenges such as policy gaps, illegal hunting, unregulated development, climate change, and forest fires.
On the final day, participants engaged in a practical field trek where they received hands-on training in installing camera traps, identifying wildlife signs, and using GPS devices, which allowed participants to gain firsthand experience in field methods. After returning from the field, each group prepared a basic conservation action plan with specific commitments and timelines.
The workshop was made possible with the support of Khonoma Nature Conservation and Tragopan Sanctuary (KNCTS), Eastern Himalayas Marble Cat Project, Panthera, Small Wild Cat Conservation Foundation (SWCCF), Nagaland Community Conserved Area Forum and the Clouded Leopard Working Group.