Madhya Pradesh

• 15 Nov 2024

Project Cheetah

Why in News?

Recently, the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) have assessed Project Cheetah in Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh, and claim it has been a successful initiative by the central government.

• This has inspired the government to accelerate plans to implement a similar project in the Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary (GSWS).

Key Points

• Project Cheetah:
  • It is a central government initiative aimed at reintroducing cheetahs, extinct from India, back into the country to contribute to global cheetah conservation.
    • The first batch of cheetahs arrived in Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh, in 2022 from Namibia, followed by a second batch from South Africa in 2023.
• Key Outcomes:
  • The mortality rate among the introduced cheetahs has been lower than the expected 50% threshold within the first year.
  • Out of the 20 imported cheetahs, 12 have survived, indicating a survival rate of around 60%, exceeding initial expectations.
  • 17 cubs have been born to the cheetahs introduced in Kuno, with 12 currently surviving.
• Wildlife Institute of India:
  • It is an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
  • It was established in 1982.
  • It is based in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.
  • It offers training programs, academic courses, and advisory in wildlife research and management.

Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary

• Location:
  • Notified in 1974, encompassing the districts of Mandsaur and Neemuch in western Madhya Pradesh, bordering Rajasthan.
  • The Chambal River bifurcates the sanctuary into two nearly equal parts, with the Gandhi Sagar Dam situated within the sanctuary.
• Ecosystem:
  • Its ecosystem is characterised by its rocky terrain and shallow topsoil, which supports a savanna ecosystem.
  • This comprises open grasslands interspersed with dry deciduous trees and shrubs. Additionally, the riverine valleys within the sanctuary are evergreen.
• Ideal Habitat for Cheetahs:
  • The sanctuary's resemblance to the Maasai Mara, a renowned national reserve in Kenya known for its savanna wilderness and abundant wildlife, highlights its suitability for cheetahs.