Only ~10,000 clouded leopards exist in the wild. One was just spotted with her cubs. But what if we told you, this was no accident?
Despite its name, the clouded leopard isn’t a true leopard but closer to tigers and lions. Found in the dense forests of the Indo-Burma region, this wild cat is now under threat from deforestation, mining, and shrinking habitats
That’s where Meghalaya's Pormawlai village steps in. With a population of just 230, it was once dependent on shifting cultivation. The result? Drying rivers, vanishing wildlife, and disrupted weather.
In 2013, the villagers made a bold decision to restore their ecosystem, protect their forest, and bring back the wildlife they had lost.
They preserved the Riangdo River as a fish sanctuary, banned tree-cutting, and stopped hunting. Slowly, the forest began to breathe again. Signs of the elusive clouded leopard returned.
Today, everyone in the village plays a part. Patrolling forests, reporting animal sightings, protecting what remains. Uniformed squads even work with the forest department to safeguard the area.
In 2016, they formed a 10-member Biodiversity Committee to lead and organise efforts. They created a People’s Biodiversity Register and protected 15 hectares of land as a Community Reserve.
Then came the Clouded Leopard Project. Camera traps were installed. Youth were trained to track, monitor, and document signs of wildlife.
Organisations like Panthera, IYBN, and SWCCF helped restore forest corridors, prevent conflict, and deepen understanding of leopard behaviour.
“People protect what they love. But first—they must know it exists,” says Joanica Jyrwa of Youth Biodiversity Network, Meghalaya.
Pormawlai now protects more than just a species. They’re building a future where the clouded leopard is a symbol of identity, pride, and living in harmony with nature.