India’s First Inter-State Cheetah Conservation Corridor

Source:  NIE

Context: Rajasthan has agreed to join India’s first inter-state cheetah conservation corridor with Madhya Pradesh.

About India’s First Inter-State Cheetah Conservation Corridor:

• What is it?

• • A wildlife corridor project designed to connect protected habitats in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan for the reintroduced cheetahs to roam safely and naturally across a vast ecosystem.

• Geographical Coverage:

• • Total area: 17,000 sq. km is covered between Madhya Pradesh (10,500 sq. km) and Rajasthan (6,500 sq. km).

• Key Locations Involved:
  • Palpur Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh: Located in Sheopur district, Kuno is the main site for India’s cheetah reintroduction project.
  • Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh: Situated along the Chambal River in Mandsaur district, this sanctuary is rich in hilly terrain and diverse wildlife.
    • It is being developed as the second habitat for cheetahs in Madhya Pradesh.
  • Mukundara Hills Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan: Located in Kota division, it comprises parts of Darrah, Jawahar Sagar, and Chambal sanctuaries.
    • The reserve has been identified as a potential cheetah habitat due to its arid grassland ecosystem.
  • Rajasthan districts: Kota, Bundi, Baran, Jhalawar, Sawai Madhopur, Karauli, Chittorgarh.
  • Proposed inclusion: Forest areas of Jhansi and Lalitpur (Uttar Pradesh)
• Key Features of the Corridor:

• • Inter-State Connectivity: First-of-its-kind wildlife linkage across two major states.
  • Seamless Movement: Enables cheetahs to migrate naturally between reserves.
  • Ecological Restoration: Aims to restore and conserve the grassland ecosystem.
  • Strategic Collaboration: Supported by NTCA and Wildlife Institute of India, with expected MoU between states.
  • Model for Asia: Recognised as a unique conservation model in Asia by experts.

• Significance for India:

• • Revives Native Species: Strengthens India’s cheetah reintroduction mission.
  • Strengthens Federal Conservation: Reflects cooperative federalism in ecological governance.
  • Aligns with Global Goals: Supports Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) targets.