Cheetah project to bring in 12 big cats from South Africa

GS Paper 3

Syllabus: Environment, Conservation

Source: TH

 Direction: The article highlights the significance of cheetah reintroduction in India.

 Context: India has signed an agreement with South Africa to translocate 12 cheetahs (seven male and five female) to the Kuno Palpur National Park (KNP) in Madhya Pradesh.

Background:

• ‘Cheetah’ (Acinonyx Jubatus Venaticus) originates from Sanskrit and means ‘the spotted one’.
• The Cheetah is the fastest land animal in the world.
• Its historical range includes the majority of Sub-Saharan Africa and extends eastward to India.
• It is the only large carnivore that went ‘Extinct’ in India due to overhunting and habitat loss.
• The last cheetah died in the Koriya district of present-day Chhattisgarh in 1947 and the species was declared extinct in 1952.
• According to the Wildlife Institute of India’s (WII) “Action Plan for Reintroduction of Cheetah in India,” 50 wild cheetahs that are ideal for starting a new cheetah population would be imported as a founder stock over five years initially.
• The PM of India released the first batch of eight cheetahs (five females and three males) from Namibia into a quarantine enclosure at Kuno last year.
• Some modifications have been made to the current bomas (wildlife cages constructed often for the treatment or quarantine of animals).

Significance of reintroducing cheetahs:

• In- situ Conservation of species.
• Beneficial to the entire ecosystem → save its prey base comprising certain threatened species and endangered species of the grasslands and open forest ecosystems.
• They pose no danger to humans or large livestock.

Why is KNP given the highest priority for reintroduction?

• Suitable habitat and adequate prey base.
• Assessed to be capable of supporting 21 cheetahs.
• Devoid of human settlements: Villages have been completely relocated from within the park.
• Enables the coexistence of the four big cats found in India – the tiger, lion, leopard, and cheetah, as they have in the past.

Why are cheetahs coming from Africa?

• Asiatic cheetahs found in Iran are categorised as critically endangered.
• The highest genetic variation, which is essential for a founding population stock, is found in African cheetahs.
• African cheetahs have been determined to be the ancestors of all other Cheetah

InstaCurious:

The other sites recommended for holding and conservation breeding of cheetahs in India, in controlled wild conditions are:

1. Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh
2. Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary – Bhainsrorgarh Wildlife Sanctuary complex, Madhya Pradesh
3. Shahgarh bulge in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
4. Mukundara Tiger Reserve as the fenced enclosure, Rajasthan

Inta Links:

Cheetah reintroduction project

Prelims Links: (UPSC 2020)