In a first-of-its-kind national effort, the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change released a detailed report on India’s lesser-known wild cats. Titled Status of Small Cats in Tiger Landscapes of India, the report was launched at the National Zoological Park in New Delhi on Global Tiger Day.
Jungle Cat Thrives, Rusty-Spotted Declines
The study covers nine small wild cat species living in tiger-bearing forests, which include Caracal, Rusty-spotted cat, Jungle cat, Asiatic Golden cat, Asiatic Wildcat, Leopard cat, Marbled cat, Pallas’s cat, and Fishing cat. It draws on camera trap data collected during the 2018 and 2022 All-India Tiger Estimation surveys. Scientists examined over 57,000 trap locations across 18 states. This led to more than 24,800 photographs and over 17,000 individual sightings of small cats.
Union Minister Bhupender Yadav said the report “marks a new step in India’s commitment to wildlife research and conservation.” He noted that tiger reserves, originally set up to protect the big cats, also help preserve smaller predators.
The jungle cat came out on top in terms of presence and range. Researchers found it across 96,275 square kilometres, the widest of all small cats. It appeared in 46 percent of the surveyed locations during both survey years. This cat was recorded in a variety of habitats, from moist forests to dry plains, even in human-dominated landscapes.
In contrast, the rusty-spotted cat showed troubling signs. Though it has a broad range, the species saw a 21 percent drop in occupancy. Once spread across 70,075 square kilometres, it is now absent in many areas where it was previously found. The strongest populations remain in central India’s mixed deciduous forests.
“This drop is worrying,” said Dr. S.P. Yadav, a key contributor to the report and senior official at the National Tiger Conservation Authority. “The rusty-spotted cat is the world’s smallest wild feline. It’s highly vulnerable to habitat disturbance.”
The leopard cat, another key species, was found in 32,800 square kilometres. Its range includes the Himalayan foothills, Northeast India, and the Sundarbans. While it holds on to about half of its previous range, some areas reported local disappearances.
Sundarbans Tigers Face Conflict and Myths
One of the most complex tiger landscapes in India is the Sundarbans. Stretching across India and Bangladesh, this vast mangrove delta is home not only to elusive small cats like the leopard cat and fishing cat, but also to Bengal tigers known for unusually high levels of human interaction.
Unlike other tiger populations, Sundarbans tigers have long been known to attack and sometimes consume humans. Historical accounts, including those by 17th-century French traveler François Bernier, describe how tigers entered boats at night to snatch sleeping passengers.
In 1975, German biologist Hubert Hendrichs suggested that the region’s brackish water might affect tiger behaviour. Others, like Kalyan Chakrabarti, linked salinity to possible kidney damage, arguing this could lead to physiological changes and increased aggression. These theories remain unproven.
Forest official Jayanta Kumar Mallick offered a more balanced view in a 2013 paper. He wrote that tiger attacks are likely due to a mix of environmental stress, prey scarcity, and regular human intrusion. “It is not true that every tiger in the Sundarbans is a man-eater,” he noted.
Human-wildlife conflict remains real. But according to tiger biologist Dr. Ullas Karanth, assumptions often exaggerate the threat. “If each of the estimated 101 tigers in the Indian Sundarbans killed 50 people annually, fatalities would exceed 5,000 a year,” he said. “But the real figure is closer to 22 or 23.”
Habitat specialists face even more limited prospects. The desert cat was recorded in dry zones covering 12,500 square kilometres, mainly in western India. The fishing cat, tied closely to wetlands and mangroves, showed up in just 7,575 square kilometres. Rapid loss of wetland habitat continues to threaten this species.
Declining Numbers
The rarest cats are facing the biggest risks. The clouded leopard, marbled cat, and Asiatic golden cat were seen in fewer than 4,000 square kilometres each. All three were found only in fragmented patches of forest in the Northeast. According to the report, more than 75 percent of previously recorded areas for the marbled and golden cats showed no detections in the latest survey.
The report, compiled by the Wildlife Institute of India and the NTCA, states: “Occupancy generally declined with increasing human disturbance, except for generalist species such as the jungle cat.” It also found that most small cat species had higher occupancy within protected areas, affirming the role of tiger reserves as vital habitats.
But not all small cats live safely inside protected zones. Species like the jungle cat and rusty-spotted cat often appear outside official reserves. This exposes them to threats like road accidents, poisoning, and shrinking habitat.
Union Minister for Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav used the report launch to underline broader conservation efforts. He announced the start of a massive tree plantation drive. Over one lakh saplings will be planted across all 58 tiger reserves, with each reserve planting 2,000 native species in degraded zones. He described it as “one of the largest such efforts in the world.”
He also urged citizens to take part in the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign, which asks people to plant a tree in their mother’s name. “Just as our mother nurtures us, so does Mother Earth,” Yadav said.
During the event, he launched the ‘Plastic-Free Tiger Reserves’ campaign, aimed at eliminating single-use plastics across all reserves. He also inaugurated new forest nurseries in the Aravalli region. These will support afforestation efforts using native plant species.
The celebrations included the release of four new publications, including the small cats report and a Global Tiger Day edition of STRIPES Magazine. Two books documenting waterfalls and water bodies inside India’s tiger reserves were also unveiled.
NTCA awards were presented across seven categories. These included wildlife crime detection, habitat management, community engagement, and anti-poaching efforts. Awards were also given posthumously to forest workers who died in the line of duty.
Small Cats Deserve Urgent Protection Too
India now has 58 tiger reserves, up from 46 in 2014. Yadav credited this growth to the “clear direction and commitment” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “Our efforts to conserve tigers have created a positive ripple for many other species,” he said.
He also spoke about the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), led by India and joined by 24 countries so far. The alliance aims to protect the seven big cat species found around the world. Its headquarters will be based in India.
The report ends with a call for better integration of small cat data into national and state-level wildlife planning. It recommends ongoing surveys, focused ecological research, and targeted conservation strategies.
Small cats may not draw the same attention as tigers, but their survival is equally vital. They help control prey populations and indicate the health of their ecosystems.
As Dr. Yadav put it, “We need to see them not just as supporting characters in the tiger story, but as key players in their own right.”
The report shows that small wild cats are as important as tigers. Protecting them means saving forests, wetlands, and grasslands. The data is ready. Now action is needed to guard their habitats, reduce conflict, and raise public awareness. Their survival is linked to the health of the land they live on. If they disappear, it will be a warning that the environment is in serious trouble.
Support us to keep independent environmental journalism alive in India.
Keep Reading
Indore Startup Swaaha takes the lead in making Amarnath Yatra eco-friendly
Amarnath Yatra: Tackling rising death toll from extreme weather events
Amarnath yatra pilgrims urinating in Sindh river: A threat to environment
Stay connected with Ground Report for underreported environmental stories.
Follow us onX, Instagram, and Facebook; share your thoughts at greport2018@gmail.com; subscribe to our weekly newsletter for deep dives from the margins; join ourWhatsApp communityfor real-time updates; and catch our video reports on YouTube.
Your support amplifies voices too often overlooked, thank you for being part of the movement.
