Peren village declares world’s first community reserve dedicated to protecting the Asiatic Golden Cat.
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DIMAPUR — Another village from Peren district has placed itself on the global conservation map by establishing what is being described as the world’s first community conserved area dedicated exclusively to the protection of the elusive Asiatic Golden cat.
According to a press release, the villagers of Bamsiakilwa (Hebamlo) on Wednesday officially declared the Daukeling–Hebamlo Community Conserved Area (CCA), marking a rare community-led effort to safeguard one of Asia’s least-studied and threatened wild cat species.
The declaration ceremony brought together conservationists, forest officials, village elders and local residents in a symbolic show of collective commitment towards protecting the region’s forests and wildlife, it stated.
Wildlife Warden of Dimapur Division, Dr. C Zupeni Tsanglai, who attended the programme as special guest, inaugurated the conserved area and unveiled a monolith and statue of the Asiatic Golden cat erected to commemorate the initiative.
The conservation effort has been jointly spearheaded by the Bamsiakilwa (Hebamlo) community, the Eastern Himalayas Marbled Cat Project (EHMCP), and the Small Wild Cat Conservation Foundation (SWCCF), with the aim of ensuring long-term habitat protection and community stewardship of the forest landscape.
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Addressing the gathering, Dr. Tsanglai underscored the growing urgency of conserving forests and lesser-known wild cat species amid accelerating climate change and habitat degradation.
She reminded that healthy forests remain critical for maintaining freshwater sources, clean air and ecological balance, while also supporting the livelihoods of local communities.
Village leaders also used the occasion to reinforce their commitment to conservation: Chairman of Bamsiakilwa village, Pauka, urged villagers to stop hunting and work collectively towards protecting the Asiatic Golden cat and other wildlife species inhabiting the forest.
The villagers resolved to enforce strict conservation measures within the reserve, including a ban on hunting and activities that disturb wildlife habitats.
The Asiatic Golden cat, found across parts of South and Southeast Asia, faces mounting threats from habitat fragmentation, hunting and human encroachment.
According to conservationists, the Daukeling–Hebamlo initiative could emerge as a model for grassroots conservation by combining traditional community governance with scientific conservation practices.
The declaration also reflects the expanding role of indigenous and local communities in biodiversity conservation efforts across Nagaland and the wider Northeast region, where community-owned forests continue to serve as vital ecological strongholds.