- The cheetah, belonging to the genera Panthera, Puma, and Acinonyx, is set to become the fifth member of the world’s seven big cats to find a habitat in India.
- Joining the ranks of the Tiger, Lion, Leopard, and Snow Leopard, the cheetah is making a return to the Indian landscape.
- Initially proposed in 2009 by India’s then-environment minister, a plan for the reintroduction of cheetahs was rejected by the Supreme Court in 2013.
- However, the government revisited the idea in 2017, and in 2020, the Supreme Court granted approval for the reintroduction, albeit on an “experimental basis.”
- 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 ambitious initiative involves the translocation of eight African cheetahs from Namibia to Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park.
- 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.
HOW DID CHEETAH BECOME EXTINCT IN INDIA
- The cheetah’s decline in India can be attributed to various historical factors.
- Although the animal was relatively easy to tame compared to other non-domesticated predators, and was historically used for coursing, a popular sport in many royal courts across India and Asia, its inability to breed successfully in captivity posed a significant challenge.
- Records indicate that there was only one successful attempt at breeding a cheetah in captivity until the 20th century, documented by Emperor Jahangir in 1613 in the book Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri.
- As the number of cheetahs in the wild dwindled due to extensive hunting, the species faced its final blow with the widespread hunting practices introduced during the British Raj in India.
- While the official explanation attributes the cheetah’s extinction to desertification, experts argue that the animal had sufficient habitat and prey population to survive if it hadn’t been relentlessly hunted to extinction.
The Action Plan for Cheetah Reintroduction in India
- The Government of India has outlined a comprehensive action plan for the reintroduction of cheetahs, aiming to bring back 50 cheetahs over the next five years to establish a founding population of the species.
- Expert analysis will be conducted in former cheetah-range states, including Gujarat, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh.
- As part of this initiative, approximately 12-14 cheetahs will be translocated from South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana to Kuno Palpur National Park in Madhya Pradesh.
- The selection of Kuno National Park is based on its suitable habitat and abundant prey base.
- The park, covering 748 sq. km., is devoid of human settlements and is estimated to have the capacity to sustain 21 cheetahs.
- In a groundbreaking move, each cheetah involved in the project will be equipped with Satellite/GSM-GPS-VHF radio collars before release into the wild.
- This technological approach aims to facilitate remote monitoring, making it potentially the world’s first intercontinental cheetah translocation project.
REASON- KUNO WAS CHOSEN FOR REINTRODUCTION OF CHEETAH
- The Kuno National Park possesses diverse habitats suitable for lions and cheetahs, encompassing open woodlands, savannas, dry deciduous forests, and evergreen riverine forests.
- Valley habitats feature common forest grass species, while the plateau tops are characterized by shorter grasses.
- This national park is an integral part of the extensive Sheopur-Shivpuri forests, covering an expansive area of 6,800 square kilometers.
- As of early this year, the solitary tiger that resided in Kuno National Park has returned to Ranthambore.
- Presently, the only larger carnivores in the National Park, as of 2021, are leopards and striped hyenas. Outside the National Park in degraded forests, wolf presence has also been reported.
- The leopard density in Kuno National Park is reported to be 8.9 per 100 square kilometers.
RELEVANCE OF CHEETAH REINTRODUCTION
- Suitable Living Conditions:
- The historical presence of cheetahs in the Indian Subcontinent makes their reintroduction a viable and realistic step. Kuno, with its woodland environment, aligns with the habitat preferences of cheetahs, known to thrive in similar landscapes such as the Maasai Mara game reserve in Kenya.
- Conservation of Natural Heritage:
- Restoring the cheetah to its native habitat contributes to the ethical and ecological revival of India’s lost natural heritage. Similar to the success of Project Tiger in enhancing forest ecosystems, cheetah conservation is expected to rejuvenate grasslands and associated biomes.
- Sufficient Prey:
- Kuno National Park provides a substantial prey base for cheetahs, including the four-horned antelope, chinkara, nilgai, wild pig, spotted deer, and sambar.
- Ecosystem Stability:
- Protecting cheetahs entails conserving their prey-base and other endangered species in grasslands and open forest ecosystems. This contributes to overall ecosystem stability.
- Reduced Man-Animal Conflict:
- Cheetahs have a lower probability of conflict with human interests compared to other large carnivores. They are not perceived as a threat to humans and are less likely to attack large livestock.
- Economic Relevance:
- The reintroduction of cheetahs is expected to boost tourism in the designated cheetah range states. This surge in tourism can stimulate various sectors, including transportation and hospitality, leading to job creation and economic growth.
Challenges with the Reintroduction Program
- Genetic Differences:
- The use of African Cheetahs instead of Asiatic cheetahs raises concerns among experts. The historical survival of Asiatic cheetahs in the region and their potential adaptability make them a more suitable choice.
- Disease Transmission:
- The potential transmission of diseases from cheetahs to the endemic tiger population is a significant concern. While there are few diseases specific to predators, the impact on local species needs careful consideration.
- Interspecies Competition and Scientific Conundrums:
- Kuno National Park already hosts around 30 leopards, and migrating tigers from Ranthambore Tiger Reserve add to the complexity. The coexistence of cheetahs, lions, tigers, and leopards in the same habitat poses scientific challenges, as there is no prior experience to inform their compatibility.
- Man-Animal Conflict:
- The presence of more aggressive predators like tigers and leopards may lead to competition in the park. This competition could potentially drive cheetahs to the park’s outskirts, increasing the risk of conflicts with humans. The lack of real-life experience with such interspecies interactions poses a challenge to effective management.
FAQs – REINTRODUCTION OF CHEETAH IN INDIA – KUNO MP
Q: Why is India reintroducing cheetahs, and when was the decision made?
A: India aims to reintroduce cheetahs to restore its lost natural heritage. The decision was revisited in 2017, and in 2020, the Supreme Court granted approval for the reintroduction on an “experimental basis.”
Q: How many big cat species will be present in India with the reintroduction of cheetahs?
A: The reintroduction of cheetahs will make them the fifth member of the world’s seven big cats in India, alongside the Tiger, Lion, Leopard, and Snow Leopard.
Q: What was the initial proposal for cheetah reintroduction, and why was it rejected in 2013?
A: Initially proposed in 2009, the plan for reintroduction was rejected by the Supreme Court in 2013. The rejection was due to concerns and legal challenges.
Q: How did cheetahs become extinct in India?
A: Cheetahs in India faced extinction due to historical factors, including hunting for coursing, challenges in breeding in captivity, and widespread hunting practices introduced during the British Raj.
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