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S P Yadav, Member Secretary of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), stated that the first batch of cheetahs would be sent from Namibia into Kuno National Park in Sheopur, Madhya Pradesh, on September 17. In an exclusive interview with ANI, NTCA Member Secretary S P Yadav stated, “We are receiving eight cheetahs, five of which are female and Three are male, in Kuno National Park, Sheopur, Madhya Pradesh.” On September 17, the PM will kick off the cheetah recovery project at MP’s Kuno National Park. “This is a major and historic period,” Yadav continued, “and there’s no other example in the entire globe where it is released and taken through one area to another continent while all international norms are being observed.”
“As of now, our aim is to transport the cheetahs in the early morning of September 17, and we’ve leased a chartered cargo jet to do it.” The cheetahs will travel to Jaipur via Windhoek, Namibia’s capital, and then by helicopter towards Palpur Kuno National Park, where they will be released. A helipad has also been constructed, according to SP Yadav.
Key Takeaways
- In an exclusive interview with ANI, NTCA Member Secretary S P Yadav stated, “We are receiving eight cheetahs, five of which are female and Three are male, in Kuno National Park, Sheopur, Madhya Pradesh.”
- “As of now, we aim to transport the cheetahs in the early morning of September 17, and we’ve leased a chartered cargo jet to do it.”
- The cheetahs will travel to Jaipur via Windhoek, Namibia’s capital, and then by helicopter towards Palpur Kuno National Park, where they will be released.
- A three-person committee was established by the Supreme Court in 2020 to advise the NTCA on the Cheetah reintroduction project.
- To find the ideal environment for the reintroduction of African cheetahs in India, the specialists from WII had previously visited four locations in Madhya Pradesh.
- When discussing the 2009 Panna Tiger Reserve tiger reintroduction campaign, J. S. Chauhan noted that MP had formerly been a cheetah’s habitat.
Background Of Cheetah Population
The cheetah was listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List due to its diminishing population of fewer than 7,000 animals, predominantly located in African Savannas.
A three-person committee was established by the Supreme Court in 2020 to advise the NTCA here on the Cheetah reintroduction project. Additionally, the panel had requested that the Wildlife Institute of India do a technical assessment of each potential location for reintroducing big cats in India.
About Kuno National Park
Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh is a one-of-a-kind attraction for all wildlife lovers. When one enters this park, they are greeted by the unique forest of Kadhai, Khair, and Salai, as well as dozens of creatures foraging throughout huge meadows. Some meadows here are more significant than most in Bandhavgarh or Kanha Tiger Reserve
It is popularly thought that the Kardhai tree, which grows abundantly here, goes green even in the absence of humidity in the environment, even before the first monsoon showers arrive. In many ways, it embodies Kuno’s genuine character, with its never-say-die attitude and capacity to endure and eventually develop despite the numerous obstacles this forest has faced.
About Reintroduction of Cheetahs
- Cheetahs were declared extinct throughout India in 1952; nevertheless, the government intends to bring them back.
- Due to habitat degradation, a decline in available prey, climate change, and an increase in the human population, Asiatic cheetahs are now extinct in India.
- Iran is the only nation on the planet with a population overall of Asiatic cheetahs.
- Since the 1960s and 1970s, India has been preparing to introduce cheetahs.
- The severely low number of Asiatic Cheetahs prevented Tehran from agreeing to part with them. Hence this proposal was never carried out.
- Cheetahs from Africa are a little bigger than those from Asia. They may be found throughout Africa, and the IUCN Red List classifies them as vulnerable.
- Four females & four males would make up the first group of African cheetahs.
- Cheetahs will be released and monitored within a 500-acre area of land that an electric fence would surround.
- Max of 21 cheetahs is anticipated to exist in India within 15 years of introduction.
The Project Cheetah budget
The (SMC) State Forest Minister has reported that the estimated budget allocation for the current fiscal year is Rs. 1,400 lakh, following the approved timetable issued by the Ministry of Env., Forest, and Climate Change.
This same National Tiger Conservation Authority will distribute the funds for the project in June 2021 to Madhya Pradesh and the Wildlife Institute of India in Dehradun.
Habitat approved by the South African Government,
A specialist from South Africa and researchers from the Wildlife Indian Institute toured the Kuno Nature Reserve on April 26, 2021. They looked over the structures and the habitats built there to welcome African cheetahs. The last steps for transporting the cheetahs are taken after the experts approve the park.
To find the ideal environment for the reintroduction of African cheetahs in India, the specialists from WII had previously visited four locations in Madhya Pradesh.
The Juno National Park, Madhav National Park (Shivpuri District), Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary on the northern border of Mandsaur & Neemuch Districts, & Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary in Sagar District were all visited by the party.
When discussing the 2009 Panna Tiger Reserve tiger reintroduction campaign, J. S. Chauhan noted that MP had formerly been a cheetah’s habitat. He continued by saying that the state has a successful history of translocating animals.
Forest department-trained for this project
Cheetahs acquired from Namibia will be housed at Kuno National Park following current international technology. In the first enclosure, two male cheetahs would be released, and a female cheetah would be released in the second. Officials from the forest department have received training on Namibian cheetah management methods. Kuno has finished making ready for the cheetah settlement.
The neighbouring community has immunised its animals. To prevent the virus from spreading to the animals. In addition, chitals have already been discharged from Narsinghgarh for boosting the wildlife population in Kuno. Officials from the forest department have also received training on Namibian cheetah management methods.
