Much to the delight of the wildlife lovers, two elusive cats-Palla's, cat also known as the grumpiest feline in the world due to its look, and the Central Asian Lynx cat- both found in India's highest cold zones like in Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh have been included in the UN list of migratory species for better conservation.

Having unique characteristics and habitats, their inclusion in Appendix II of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS) has been much awaited demand from wildlife experts seeking targeted conservation efforts as the number of both the cats in India are on decline. This would be a significant step toward their conservation and management, particularly in regions like India where information on their distribution and status is limited. Both species, known for their elusive behavior, face various threats, and concerted efforts are required to ensure their survival.

The Central Asian lynx, a subspecies of the Eurasian lynx, is sparsely distributed in regions such as India's trans-Himalayan area of Ladakh. Sightings of this medium-sized carnivore are rare, and its population appears to be declining. The inclusion of the Central Asian lynx in Appendix II encourages international cooperation for its conservation, leveraging networks established for the protection of species like the snow leopard, with which it shares its habitat.

Similarly, the Pallas' cat, primarily found in Central Asia but also recorded in regions like Ladakh, Sikkim, and Himachal Pradesh, faces threats such as habitat loss and poaching. Experts emphasize the importance of targeted conservation measures for these species, especially in areas like Ladakh where they coexist with threats like free-ranging dogs.

According to some research, Pallas's cats reproduce more readily when prey is abundant so increased availability may be linked to their increasing presence, though scientists are uncertain about the linkage. Prey overall is limited but may have increased in certain parts, as per the studies.

The CMS listing could facilitate transboundary cooperation, information sharing, and coordinated conservation actions to address these challenges and ensure the survival of these elusive felids throughout their range, say the wildlife experts.

Neeraj Mahar, a project scientist at the Dehradun-based Wildlife Institute of India (WII), emphasized the significant impact of including the Pallas' cat and the Central Asian lynx in the CMS Appendix II for both global and Indian conservation endeavors, stating that both feline species face threats like poaching for their fur.

"In India, sightings of both the Pallas' cat and the Eurasian lynx are rare, and there exists limited data on their distribution and population status. The inclusion in the UN body comes as a responsibility for India, as a signatory to the CMS, to take proactive measures for these species. This includes focusing on conservation efforts in their natural habitats within the Himalayan and trans-Himalayan regions, as well as collaborating with neighboring countries to ensure their survival," he said.

According to some research, Pallas's cats reproduce more readily when prey is abundant so increased availability may be linked to their increasing presence, though scientists are uncertain about the linkage. Prey overall is limited but may have increased in certain parts, they speculate.