India to Receive Eight Cheetahs from Botswana in Two Phases

Eight cheetahs will be brought to India from Botswana in two phases, with four expected to arrive by May. The cheetahs will be relocated in a phased manner in Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary. Over ₹112 crore has been spent on the cheetah project in India so far, with 67% going towards cheetah rehabilitation in Madhya Pradesh. Female cheetahs have given birth to cubs, and the number of tourists in Kuno National Park has doubled in two years.

In a significant development for wildlife conservation in India, the Cheetah Project Steering Committee has approved the translocation of cheetahs from Kuno National Park to Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary. This move is part of the larger initiative to establish a long-term metapopulation of 60-70 cheetahs across the Kuno–Gandhi Sagar landscape, which spans parts of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan [1].

The project, launched in 2022, has seen the translocation of cheetahs from Namibia and South Africa to Madhya Pradesh's Kuno National Park. Despite the initial success, the project has faced challenges, including the deaths of several adult cheetahs and cubs born in Kuno [1]. The relocation to Gandhi Sagar aims to mitigate these issues and expand the cheetah population.

The relocation process is expected to commence soon, with an initial release of four to five cheetahs into a fenced 64 sq km area in Gandhi Sagar, where leopards have been removed to prevent conflict [1]. The committee has expressed caution regarding the stress factors involved in the relocation process, particularly amid rising summer temperatures.

The Madhya Pradesh government has been actively involved in these efforts, with the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) overseeing the project. Officials have stated that eight cheetahs will be brought to India from Botswana in two phases, with four expected to arrive by May [2]. The total expenditure on the cheetah project in India so far exceeds ₹112 crore, with 67% allocated to cheetah rehabilitation in Madhya Pradesh [2].

The project has seen positive developments, including the birth of cubs by female cheetahs in Kuno National Park and a significant increase in tourist numbers. The number of tourists in Kuno National Park has doubled in the past two years [2].

Special training is being provided to "cheetah mitras" in Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary to enhance their capacity in managing and protecting the cheetahs [2]. The project also aims to establish an inter-state cheetah conservation area, with an in-principle agreement reached between Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan [2].

The committee has also addressed recent controversies, including an incident where a forest department driver offered water to a cheetah and her cubs. The committee has emphasized the need for better adherence to standard protocols and increased sensitisation [1].

In conclusion, the relocation of cheetahs from Kuno National Park to Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary is a critical step in the ongoing efforts to conserve and expand the cheetah population in India. The project's success will depend on careful planning, adherence to protocols, and continued support from stakeholders.

References:
[1] https://swarajyamag.com/news-brief/committee-approves-cheetah-relocation-from-kuno-to-gandhi-sagar-as-centre-negotiates-with-african-nations-for-more
[2] https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/madhya-pradesh/eight-cheetahs-to-be-brought-to-india-from-botswana-first-four-to-arrive-in-may/article69467230.ece