Context:

The Cheetah Project Steering Committee has approved the relocation of some cheetahs from Kuno National Park to Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh. This decision was made due to concerns regarding limited prey availability and the presence of leopards in the current habitat.

Background:

Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, extending accross 368 square kilometers, has been prepared for cheetah introduction over the past year. The sanctuary aims to establish a metapopulation of 60-70 cheetahs across the Kuno-Gandhi Sagar landscape in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. However, it faces challenges such as:

• Prey Deficit: Concerns linger about the availability of adequate prey, with on-going efforts to address this issue.
• Recent Controversy: A video clip showing a driver offering water to cheetahs sparked concern, prompting the committee to stress adherence to standard operating procedures and sensitization efforts.

About Project Cheetah

Project Cheetah is an ambitious conservation initiative by the Government of India to reintroduce cheetahs into the wild after their extinction in 1952. Launched in 2022, project involves importing African cheetahs to establish a viable metapopulation in suitable habitats, promoting ecological balance and biodiversity.

Key Objectives:

• Reintroduce cheetahs to perform their functional role as top predators, maintaining prey population health and environmental balance.
• Support global conservation efforts by establishing a cheetah population in India.
• Generate revenue for local communities through eco-tourism, promoting coexistence with wildlife

Project Progress:

• Cheetah Introduction: 20 adult African cheetahs have been imported from Namibia (8) and South Africa (12) and introduced to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh.
• Birth of Cubs: Four cubs were born in India in March 2023, conceived after the introduction of cheetahs.
• Relocation: The Cheetah Project Steering Committee has given the green light to relocate some cheetahs from Kuno National Park to Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh.

Challenges before project cheetah:

• Prolonged Captivity: Cheetahs have been held captive for extended periods, affecting their fitness for release into the wild.
• Habitat and Prey Base: Concerns remain about India's ability to provide sufficient habitat and prey base for a viable cheetah population.
• Mortality: The project has faced setbacks, including the deaths of eight cheetahs and five cubs.

About Cheetah Project Steering Committee

The Cheetah Project Steering Committee, set up in May 2023 by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), plays a critical role in monitoring progress and guiding policy decisions for the project. In its latest meeting, the committee also addressed issues of protocol compliance and field-level training.

Conclusion

The move to Gandhi Sagar represents both a new beginning and a moment of reckoning for Project Cheetah—testing not just the adaptability of the cheetahs, but also the resilience and responsiveness of India’s conservation machinery.