Cheetah Reintroduction in India

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Magazine Exclusive: South African cheetahs will be seen in Guru Ghasidas National Park to increase descent 

Baikunthpur.  India's last 73 years ago, the forest in which the last cheetah had ceased to exist, is preparing to increase the lineage by bringing cheetah from South Africa in Ramgarh-Sonhat, Guru Ghasidas National Park of the same forest.  The Central Government has sought a report from the Forest Department Chhattisgarh in the matter. 

Wildlife cheetah has been declared extinct in the year 1952 in India.  According to the Bombay Natural History document, in the year 1947, the last leopard of India is mentioned hunting in the Ramgarh forest.  Local elders believe that the Maharaja of the princely state of Korea hunted man-eating leopard to protect the village. 

However, there is no evidence of cheetah hunting, which is considered to be the last occurrence of leopard in Korea district and India.  The case was conducted in 2010 along with the survey and in the year 2012, the practice of cheetah from South Africa was started.  At that time a survey of selected national parks across the country was conducted. 

After this, a project was made to select favorable habitat areas to keep cheetahs from South Africa.  The survey was conducted by Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and Wildlife Trust of India (WTI).  Guru Ghasidas National Park was selected in this, but the case was pending in the Supreme Court. 

After about 10 years, after receiving the green signal from the Supreme Court, the Central Government wrote a letter to the Forest Department Chhattisgarh about what kind of arrangements are there for the living, eating and eating of the cheetah in the Guru Ghasidas National Park.  Survey report has been sought from forest department.  Which will speed up this process. 

Cheetahs will be brought from Namibia in South Africa
 There was a meeting in Delhi regarding the National Park suitable for Cheetah.  After that the National Tiger Conservation Authority had also sought the details of all the national parks.  Under the plan, a total of 20 cheetahs are set to be brought from Namibia in South Africa.  Although how many cheetahs will be brought to Guru Ghasidas National, it is not clear at the moment.  There is a discussion that only two or three will be brought in the first batch. 

Central government asks for report again after 10 years
 As the matter was pending in the Supreme Court, no action was taken on the project of bringing cheetah.  In the case, the work of bringing cheetah will accelerate after about 10 years.  Due to which the central government has written a letter to re-survey due to so many years, the forest department has asked what kind of change has taken place in Guru Ghasidas National Park after the survey done eight years ago. 

What are the chances of cheetah living in the national park, how can the habitat area be upgraded and resource facilities can be increased.  The Forest Department should prepare long term plans and any other place, if appropriate, should also be mentioned.  Due to which the cheetah of South Africa can live easily. 

The proposal has been sent after getting permission from the court

 The survey was conducted about ten years ago.  After that the case was pending in the Supreme Court.  The proposal was sent to the Central Government through PCCF Wildlife after getting permission from the court.  A letter from the Central Government has come in the case.  Cheetah to be brought from Africa.  Before that the teams of WII and WTI will come to survey.  Probably, the year 2021 may come in the beginning of the survey.
 R.  Ramakrishna Y, Director Guru Ghasidas National Park Korea 

Translated from google 

https://m.patrika.com/koria-news/south-a...k-6580108/ Reply

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African cheetah will roam in the forests of Uttarakhand? 

After the Supreme Court has allowed to bring African cheetahs to Indian sanctuaries, preparations are now being made to bring African cheetah to Madhya Pradesh. The Wildlife Institute of India Dehradun had chosen Kuno Palpur and Nauradehi Sanctuary for this project. Uttarakhand Chief Conservator of Forest, Jairaj says that if the use of African cheetah in Madhya Pradesh is successful, then cheetah will also be considered in Uttarakhand. Learn the interesting history of cheetah in India in the special report of ETV India. 

First of all, let us tell you that there is no cheetah in the country. In the year 1948, the cheetah was last seen in the jungle of Surguja. Given this, the central government is now trying to bring the cheetah back to the country. In this connection, Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun had chosen Kuno Palpur and Nauradehi Sanctuary of Madhya Pradesh for this project. Because both the sanctuaries have long open grasslands and cheetahs need small wildlife and long open fields to hunt. 

The existence of cheetahs ended due to hunting and export,

the main reason for the extinction of cheetahs in India was their maximum hunting during the time of kings and emperors. A large number of leopard skins were also exported during the British period. Not only this, during Raja-Maharaja and British era, influential people used to hunt cheetahs for their elegance and showmanship. Due to which, the species of leopard gradually went extinct from the country. But now the desire to restore the extinct leopard to the country has intensified. So now people need to understand that the concept of development cannot be done by eliminating bio diversity at all. 

There are already lions and leopards together in the natural conflict of lions and leopards. Not only this, when there were cheetahs in Madhya Pradesh, lions, tigers and wildlife were also present there. But there is a natural part between a lion and a leopard. Therefore, a creature that is powerful wins. But it is not at all the case that lions and cheetahs will not be able to walk together or live together. 

Scientific study before placing a wild animal Before the  

cheetah is restored in the country, you need to know that the cheetah cannot be kept anywhere like this. For this, old history is researched and scientific study is prepared. Only then it is decided to place the cheetah whether it is suitable for him or not. Not only this, if any creature is brought from one place to another, it is not left directly in the forest, instead it is first kept in enclosures so that it will gradually adopt that culture. After this, the animals are then released soft in the forest. 

Chief Conservator of Forests of Uttarakhand, being brought into the country as an experiment, Jairaj said that it is a welcome proposal that the Supreme Court has approved to bring Cheetah from Africa. Under this, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh is a good place, where there used to be leopards. Talking of records, before 1950, India used to cheetah in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. After this, leopards became extinct from the country. He told that if African cheetah arrives in India, climate change is already present here. In such a situation, the cheetah that will be brought from Africa will be experimented in some way, because only a few cheetahs will be brought into the country. He said that if the experiment of bringing African cheetah in Madhya Pradesh is successful, then it will be considered to bring cheetah in Uttarakhand too. 

The introduction of African cheetah in the forested areas of Uttarakhand will not only increase the number of wildlife, but it will also be very important in terms of biodevelopment. In such a situation, it will have to be seen how Uttarakhand Forest Department will be able to bring this leopard to Uttarakhand like other provinces? 

Translated from google 

https://react.etvbharat.com/hindi/uttara...0163434772 Reply

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Madhya Pradesh News: To extend lease of diamond mine and cheetah project in Kuno will be sealed on January 18 

The state government has called a meeting of the State Wildlife Board on 18 January. This includes the extension of the lease of the NMDC (National Mineral Development Corporation) diamond mine at Majhngwa in Panna and the Cheetah project at Kuno Palpur National Park in Sheopur.  

Approval of cheetah project is also to be considered in the meeting. The Central Empowered Committee sub-committee has liked Kuno Palpur for cheetahs. The Asiatic Lion (Babbar Lion) project is already underway in this park, so the government will have to give consent for the Cheetah project. 

Anyway, the dream of Gir coming to the lion is not seen to be true. Proposals for Kharmore Breeding Project, wild buffalo of Chhattisgarh and Assam to be settled in Madhya Pradesh, shifting of three tigers, denotifying the land of Karaira and Ghatigaon Sanctuary and opening new sanctuaries at Burhanpur-Sagar will also be placed before the board. 

Kuno Palpur Park has been ready to settle Babbar lions since the year 2004, but the Gujarat government is not giving lions. The lion project has not been stopped. Already Cheetah liked Palpur for the Cheetah project. Not only this, the team of experts who reached Kuno in November-20 have also found it friendly to the cheetah. Now the state government will decide whether to establish lions or cheetahs in Kuno. 

Translated from google 

https://www.naidunia.com/madhya-pradesh/...18-6640034 Reply

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Kuno is ready for cheetah reintroduction: Expert report 

Madhya Pradesh is in the ‘spot’light again. Experts from Wildlife Institute of India(WII) have concluded that cheetahs can be reintroduced at all the surveyed sites in Madhya Pradesh with appropriate ‘investments’ — some more than others — and management. 

Kuno National Park is “ready” for immediate reintroduction, with the least investment needed. It was also chosen for the Gir lion translocation earlier.Some sites have the potential to achieve the full range of objectives for the cheetah reintroduction project, says a technical note by the experts. Kuno and Gandhi Sagar-Chittorgarh-Bhainsrodgarh wildlife sanctuary (WLS) in Rajasthan, with parts of Mukundara tiger reserve landscape, adequately meet the criteria for introduction. The Gandhi Sagar-Bhainsrodgarh landscape requires concurrence by the governments of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan and investment in terms of prey supplementation and protection, it says. 

“Nauradehi wildlife sanctuary has very high potential, initially for housing a fenced population and later for becoming a free-ranging population as well. Investments required here are for fencing and prey restoration,” the report says.


The enclosure in Mukundara Tiger Reserve can be immediately used to bring cheetah into India and allow these animals to acclimatise prior to their release at other select sites. Also, Mukundara enclosure after extension can serve to hold a secure population of 3-4 cheetah breeding units and can be used to produce cheetah for enforcement of reintroduced populations Assessment of cheetah introduction sites and proposed actions,” it adds. With such investment, both sites could potentially hold cheetahs, the experts have noted.  



These sites are not considered as priority for achieving the holistic objectives of cheetah reintroduction, but would serve to restore both sites and achieve the objectives of biodiversity conservation and eco-tourism.



Based on the response from the two states, further action will be taken up by WII and NTCA for the reintroduction of cheetah in India. Permission for work on assessment of prey is being sought for Mukundara TR, Kuno NP and Nauradehi WLS from the Chief Wildlife Wardens of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

Experts have suggested surveys in other places like Shahgarh bulge in Jaisalmer, Kaimur-Bagdhara complex and Guru Ghasidas national park. Permissions for the above are being sought from the authorities of Rajasthan, Bihar, MP, and Chhattisgarh.



The Team of experts include WII’s Y V Jhala (dean ), project associate Bipin C M, and project fellow Harshini Jhala. Those from MP were APCCF (wildlife) J S Chauhan, Madhav National Park 

DFO Y P Singh, Nauradehi sanctuary DFO Rakhi Nanda, DFO working plan-Raisen A Kumar, and Gandhi Sagar sanctuary DFO Sanjay Chauhan. Those from Rajasthan were Sangod MLA Bharat Singh, Mukundara Tiger Reserve CCF S Yadav and Kota DFO Alok Gupta. 




https://m.timesofindia.com/city/bhopal/kuno-is-ready-for-cheetah-reintroduction-expert-report/articleshow/80145963.cms Reply

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Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary is the most suitable place for Cheetah after Kuno 

The plan to settle African cheetah in Madhya Pradesh seems to be on the rise. The Sub Committee of the Central Empowered Committee, which has been visiting the state from November 23 to December 3, 2020, has considered Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary of Malwanchal as the most suitable place for cheetahs after Kuno Palpur. At the same time, possibilities have also been told in Mukundara Hills National Park in Rajasthan. In a report sent to the National Tiger Conservation Authority, the committee has said that there is some work to be done in all areas, on which the amount will be spent. If the state governments are ready for this, then with the consent, tell so that efforts can be made to establish cheetah in the selected areas only. 

Sub committee led by Dr. YV Jhala, Senior Scientist of Wildlife Institute of India Dehradun, in 11 days, Kano Palpur in Sheopur, Madhya Pradesh, Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary spread in Mandsaur-Neemuch districts, Madhav National Park in Shivpuri, Nauradehi Sanctuary in Sagar district Along with Mukundara Hills and Shergarh Sanctuary in Rajasthan. 

Of these, the most likely to settle the cheetah was seen only in Kuno Palpur and Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary. The committee also considered Mukundara Hills as above, because there is a fence for the protection of cheetahs. The committee has suggested that the fence can also be used to bring cheetahs from Africa and keep it here first.

The committee has said that some work has to be done in all the protected areas. Channeling fencing has to be done somewhere, then somewhere cheetah will have to make arrangements for food. For this, shifting and water arrangements of vegetarian wildlife will have to be made in these areas. Some places will have to prepare grass forests. Among all, Kuno Palpur is the only area which has the least expense. 

Leopard will be kept in more than one place 

The last cheetah was seen in the country in 1948. An attempt to resettle this species started, so it was decided that leopards coming from Africa should not be settled in one place. Two or three places have to be selected so that after coming here this species is not harmed due to any fatal disease or climate change. The committee also looked at the arrangements for food and water in the selected protected areas. How many square km of open area there are vegetarian wildlife. 

Translated from google 

https://www.naidunia.com/madhya-pradesh/bhopal-madhya-pradesh-news-gandhi-sagar-sanctuary-is-the-most-suitable-place-for-cheetah-after-kuno-6643741?fbclid=IwAR0c42OYaihXHp-Z4jrvXxKHqhw_MVqOT5MeMmF3ipMdlhVmnOabWyigdJA Reply

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Assessment of cheetah introduction sites and proposed actions- Technical note 

  1. Introduction

In consequence of the Hon. Supreme Court direction on introduction of cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) in India, meetings were held by the Expert Committee appointed by Hon. Supreme Court on this matter on 06 March 2020 and 30 September 2020 to decide on the future course of action. The committee decided that the rapid reassessment of all sites found suitable during the assessment conducted in 2010 (Ranjitsinh & Jhala 2010), along with assessment of those proposed newly by the States would be carried out by WII. As proposed by the State Governments of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, a site visit was undertaken to 1) Mukundara Hills Tiger Reserve, 2) Shergarh Wildlife Sanctuary, in Rajasthan and, 3) Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, 4) Kuno National Park, 5) Madhav National Park and 6) Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh for a preliminary assessment as potential sites for cheetah reintroduction. Based on this assessment the following report lists further in-depth surveys for prey, habitat, and anthropogenic pressures at some of these sites as well as management actions that are required to prepare them for the introduction of the cheetah. Cheetah introduction at these sites would be contingent on completion of these tasks mentioned herein, and can be achieved at some sites as early as late 2021. Completing the proposed management actions could be decided by the States based on investment required and site priorities.  

    1. Mukundara Hills Tiger Reserve 

 A rapid site assessment was conducted (22nd- 23rd Nov 2020) to understand relative abundance of prey, quality of habitat and identify issues concerning park management related to cheetah introduction. A total of ~120 km (29 km within the 80 km2 enclosure) (Figure 1b) were covered using a slow-moving vehicle to obtain encounter rates and densities of prey species viz. chital, sambar, nilgai, wild pig, chinkara, black buck and cattle (Tables 1 & 2). To calculate prey densities, the effective strip widths obtained from distance sampling conducted in Kuno during 2014 were used, as both areas have similar terrain and vegetation composition. Overall, the TR is under high pressure from livestock grazing, both cattle and goats heavily graze most of the TR. Parts that had lower livestock pressure had populations of wild ungulates like chital and chinkara but below any quantifiable density. A few blackbuck were seen within the fenced enclosure.   

Due to the human use and grazing pressures from villages within the TR as well as from the neighboring areas, and very low prey base the TR is not currently ready for reintroduction of the cheetah. However, there is excellent habitat recovery within the Predator Enclosure. The habitat has a mosaic of grasslands, savannah, dry deciduous forests and riverine evergreen patches with good water availability forming an ideal habitat for the cheetah. The prey base within the enclosure is recovering (but currently scanty) and this part of the TR has the potential to be considered further in the short-term for cheetah reintroduction. A major management activity that has to be commenced immediately is prey augmentation within the enclosure (as detailed below) and outside the enclosure. The villages within the TR need to be relocated in the long-term and the highways passing through the TR need to have appropriate mitigation for animal passage ways with speed regulation. Based on observations regarding habitat and interactions with park management the actions required to be undertaken immediately are listed below-   

1. Prey assessment - An in-depth assessment of prey base within the enclosure (Area- 80 km2) by Wildlife Institute of India during January-February 2021 

2. Prey augmentation - A minimum of 200 blackbuck, 150 chinkara, and 350 chital need to be translocated into the Enclosure. On an average cheetah family/coalition are expected to make a kill every 3-4 days. Considering finite growth rate of ungulates to be ~1.33 (Jhala et al., in press), a population of about 350 ungulates are required for a cheetah coalition family.  

3. Enclosure reinforcement - Reinforcement of the enclosure is required to make it dog proof especially at water drainage sites.  

4. Increase the area of the enclosure - The predator enclosure can and should be extended into the Jhalawar part of the TR (Figure 1b) since this is good grassland habitat for the cheetah. Habitat recovery and control of human impacts in this highly disturbed TR can best be achieved by fencing. This additional 50-60 km2 can be added (Total area- 150 km2) to increase the carrying capacity of the enclosure for ~3 breeding units of cheetah.  

With the above intervention, the enclosure within Mukundara Hills TR will be able to hold cheetah in the short-term as a staging area. Cheetah could be brought and released within the enclosure to acclimatize them to Indian conditions (climate and prey) before being released at suitable sites as free ranging cheetah or within larger fenced reserves. Currently, even without the extension but after prey augmentation, the enclosure can potentially house a coalition of males and 1-2 females as residents. The timeline for releasing cheetah would depend on prey augmentation and can be as early as mid-2021. After the extension of the fencing, the area can be a source of breeding cheetah in India within a secure enclosed area. 

For the area outside of the enclosure, MHTR would require investments on a large scale in terms of reducing anthropogenic pressures through a) village relocation, b) grazing control of goats and cattle, c) mitigating infrastructure (road ways and railway). Once this is done, the MHTR can form a part of the larger landscape for cheetah in India by connecting it to Bhainsrodgarh WLS through the reserve forests of Chittorgarh Division and then onto Gandhi Sagar WLS in Madhya Pradesh. Free ranging tigers within Mukundara TR would not be a problem for cheetah introduction within the enclosure. The enclosure is better suited for cheetah habitat and prey compared to the requirement for tigers as majority of it is composed of open woodlands, savanna and grasslands with good habitat for chinkara and blackbuck (and not for sambar). Besides once restorative activities are undertaken in Mukundara TR (primarily reduction of human/livestock pressures), it can serve to hold both free ranging tigers and cheetah as well in the larger landscape. 

  2. Shergarh Wildlife Sanctuary 

This site was visited on the suggestion of the CCF Wildlife-Kota and Shri Bharat Singh, MLA of the region as having potential for cheetah reintroduction. A rapid site assessment was conducted on 23rd Nov 2020.  

The WLS was too small by itself for further consideration. However, Shergarh WLS along with the block of grassland to the north forming the Pathar and the reserve forest land to the south if enclosed by a predator fence can have the potential to hold a few cheetah (Figure 2a). The Pathar is also a Reserve Forest land with no human habitation. The combination of the Shergarh WLS, Pathar and the Reserve Forest of Baran division together cover 180 km2. The habitat is ideal for cheetah (grassland, open woodland) and currently may hold a few leopards (no records) and striped hyena. The prey base was extremely low, mostly nilgai and few chinkara in the Pathar habitat. For further consideration as a site for cheetah reintroduction the entire ~250 km2 would need to be fenced and human habitation from within the enclosed area relocated. Shri Bharat Singh was of the opinion of clearing Reserve Forest land along the Kota-Baran highway encroached by thick Prosopis juliflora and use these lands for village resettlement from Shergarh WLS and Mukundara Hills TR. These lands along the highway would be an extremely lucrative incentive for communities to relocate outside of the Protected Areas due to their road access, fertile nature and irrigation possibilities. Once villages are resettled and the area fenced, augmentation of prey (chinkara, blackbuck and chital) would be required. The investments required for making Shergarh suitable for cheetah reintroduction are high and would take time (~ 5 years). However, the site should be considered for these investments as it will restore a degraded PA to its full potential and allow the State to harness its full potential for ecosystem services and for eco-tourism. 

Based on observations regarding habitat and interactions with park management the actions required to be undertaken immediately are listed below-  

1. Village relocation - Relocation of Villages within the Sanctuary  

2. Transfer of Reserve Forest - Addition of Reserve Forests (RF) to the North (Pathar) and south (Baran Division) to increase the effective area for cheetah introduction 

3. Boundary Fencing - Predator proof fencing around the WLS and RF to the North and South (to cover ~ 250 km2 Area)  

4. Prey Augmentation - Prey Augmentation by translocation of Blackbuck, Chital and Chinkara

~ 200 to 300 of each species 

5. Road Mitigation - After addition of RF as part of the reintroduction area the roads passing through the RF would need mitigation (regulated traffic).  
 
If the Rajasthan Government invests in fencing Shergarh WLS along with parts of the Reserve Forest areas suggested above and relocate the few human settlements with appropriate incentives the area would be suitable for a population of 3-4 breeding units of cheetah. The fencing in Mukundara TR has amply demonstrated the effectiveness it has on habitat recovery and with some effort in prey augmentation the Shergarh complex can be restored to its biological potential and provide the desired ecosystem services, achieve its conservation objectives and provide a big boost to the rural economy through cheetah based eco-tourism. 

  3. Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary  
 
The habitat composed of grassland, savanna, open woodland along with evergreen riverine ravines forms the perfect habitat for cheetah reintroduction. If Gandhi Sagar WLS can be managed along with neighboring state of Rajasthan (Chittorgarh Division and Bhainsrodgarh WLS) and addition of the territorial divisions of Mandsaur and Neemuch as buffers, a suitable area of ~2000 km2 as cheetah habitat can be secured. The task involves commitment from both states of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan to work together in allocating these territorial forest divisions under a unified management plan with WLS. Such an effort would be an important objective for cheetah reintroduction i.e. to use the cheetah as a flagship and umbrella species for the conservation and restoration of habitats such as those represented by Gandhi Sagar and Bhainsrodgarh WLS (other than habitats where the tiger can serve as a flagship).

A site assessment was conducted from 24th-25th Nov 2020 to understand relative abundance of prey, quality of habitat and identify issues concerning park management. A total of 111 km (Figure 3b) were covered to obtain encounter rates and densities of prey species (Tables 3 and 4). To calculate prey densities, the effective strip widths obtained from distance sampling conducted in Kuno during 2014 were used, as both areas have similar terrain and vegetation composition.  

Based on observations regarding habitat and interactions with park management the actions required to be undertaken immediately are listed below- 

1. Enhance protection - Recruitment of staff to fill up vacancies  - Training of field staff in anti-poaching activities


2. Prey Augmentation - Prey Augmentation by translocation of Blackbuck (1000), Chital (1500) and Chinkara (350). On an average cheetah family/coalition are expected to make a kill every 3-4 days. Considering finite growth rate of ungulates to be ~1.33 (Jhala et al., in press), a population of about 350 ungulates are required for a cheetah coalition family. The proposed prey base augmentation can sustain 7-8 cheetah family/ coalitions. 

3. Construction of soft release enclosure - A predator enclosure of 1 km2 area to be constructed with four equal partitions. The height of the fence will have to be 2.5 m angled both inside and outside (Appendix 1).  

4. Village community Sensitization - Sensitization of communities towards cheetah reintroduction, and opportunities for eco- tourism.  

5. Road regulation - Vehicular movement on two roads- (1) State highway 31A and (2) Rawatbhata- Gandhisagar Road, have to be regulated with barriers and speed breakers so that vehicle speed is restricted to <40 kms/hr.

6. Water management - Water hole construction/ filling and maintenance of natural water sources such that water is available throughout the year at a density of one in 25 km2 (or within a radius of 3 km)  

Cheetah introduction to Gandhi Sagar can commence in a phased manner as soon as prey supplementation is initiated and a soft release enclosure is built. Other actions can go on simultaneously with the introduction. The proposed prey base augmentation can sustain 7-8 cheetah family/ coalitions. 

For the long-term viability of a cheetah population in India, commitment from the Governments of Madhya Pradesh for inclusion of the territorial reserve forest areas as buffers and from the Government of Rajasthan for the development of parts of the territorial Chittorgarh Division and Bhainsrodgarh WLS as a large inter-state cheetah conservation complex along with Gandhi Sagar should be obtained (Figure 3c).  

  4. Kuno National Park 

Kuno National Park has been regularly monitored since 2006 for lion reintroduction and it is due to the efforts of the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department on rehabilitation of villages from within the core area, and declaration of National Park status, that Kuno (Table 4.1) has shown remarkable recovery in its habitat, prey abundance and reduction of human impacts. Due to delays in lion reintroduction the site was considered for cheetah reintroduction in 2010. However, the Hon’ble Supreme Court in its order on the reintroduction of the Asiatic Lion in Kuno in 2013, also ruled against the reintroduction of the cheetah in Kuno. Subsequent, to affidavits filed by NTCA explaining that cheetah reintroduction would not impact lion reintroductions in any adverse manner, the Hon’ble Supreme Court has permitted cheetah introduction on an “experimental basis in a careful chosen habitat and nurtured and watched to see whether it can adapt to the Indian conditions”. A site assessment was conducted from 25th to 29th Nov 2020 to understand relative abundance of prey, quality of habitat and identify issues concerning park management. A total of 54 km in the old Wildlife Sanctuary Part and 207 km in the old wildlife division part both of which now constitute the Kuno National Park (Figure 4c) were covered using a slow moving vehicle to obtain encounter rates and densities of prey species viz. chital, sambar, nilgai, wild pig, chinkara and cattle (Tables 5 and 6). To calculate prey densities, the effective strip widths obtained from distance sampling conducted in Kuno during 2014 were used.    

The Kuno National Park has diverse habitats conducive for lions and cheetah constituted by open woodlands, savanna, dry deciduous forests, and evergreen riverine forests. Forest grass species (Themeda, Apluda, Heteropogon, Chloris, Desmostachya spp) were common in valley habitats while plateau tops had shorter grasses like (Aristida, Dicanthium, Eragrostis, Panicum, and Cenchrus Spp). Kuno is part of a large forested landscape constituted by the Sheopur-Shivpuri forests covering an area of ~6800 km2 (Figure 4b). Currently the leopard and striped hyena are the only larger carnivores within the National Park, the single lone tiger having returned to Ranthambore earlier this year. In the degraded forests outside the National Park, presence of wolves is also reported. The density of leopards was 8.9 (SE 1.4) per 100 km2 (Jhala et al. 2020). 

Based on observations regarding habitat and interactions with park management the actions required to be undertaken immediately are listed below-  

1. Enhance protection - Hiring of ex-army personnel - Recruitment of staff to fill up vacancies - Training of field staff in anti-poaching activities  

2. Grassland management -  Pruning of Zizyphus  - Removal of Desmostachya - Removal of Acacia lucophyla from grasslands -Selective and controlled use of cattle to manage grasslands  

3. Water management - On the south western and eastern side of the National Park  

4. Construction of soft release enclosure for holding cheetah - Size 1km2 in Jakhoda/Paira grassland. A predator enclosure of 1 km2 area to be constructed with four equal partitions. The height of the fence will have to be 2.5 m angled both inside and outside (Appendix 1).  

5. Prosopis juliflora plantation removal & ban further plantation of this species. - In the Wildlife Division    

6. Village relocation - Two villages- Bagcha and Jahangarh 

7. Dog vaccination - In villages inside and on the periphery of the Wildlife Division against rabies, canine distemper and parvovirus 

8. Prey base estimation - Kuno has been monitored since 2006, last assessment was done in 2018. A fresh assessment in 2021 would be useful. 

Kuno National Park is currently ready for the reintroduction of cheetah with minimal actions required (above). Introduction can commence in a phased manner with few individuals after the construction of the soft release enclosure and augmentation of protection, while other actions are under way. The action plan prepared for the reintroduction of cheetah in Kuno in 2012 (Jhala et al. 2011) remains valid. These first batch of cheetah (6-8 individuals) should be soft released in the enclosure with GPS/GSM or GPS/Satellite transmitters. Males would be released first while females remain within the enclosure. This would ensure that males, during their exploratory movements, would not stray very far from the soft release enclosure where females are housed. Once males settle down females should be released. The introduction of the cheetah in Kuno in no way compromises the objectives or potential for reintroducing the Asiatic lions here as per the Hon’ble Supreme Court Order (2013). Once cheetah have established, they are known to be able to evade lion predation effectively. Many habitats (Protected Areas) as well as fenced game reserves in Africa have sympatric cheetah and lions. In historical times in India too, lions, tigers, leopards, and cheetah were once sympatric (Divyabhanusinh 2002). 

  5. Madhav National Park 

Madhav National (NP) was evaluated on the recommendation of the Madhya Pradesh Forest department. This forested patch of Shivpuri still has some habitat connectivity to Sheopur forests (with Kuno National Park). Though Madhav NP is small and highly impacted with anthropogenic pressures, consideration of introduction of a charismatic species like the cheetah may bring in the required resources for its restoration while simultaneously increasing the livelihood options for local communities through wildlife tourism.

A rapid site assessment was conducted from 29th November 2020 to understand relative abundance of prey, quality of habitat and identify issues concerning park management. A total of 41 km (Figure 5b) were covered using a slow moving vehicle in the eastern part of the PA as suggested by park management. to obtain encounter rates and densities of prey species viz. chital, sambar, nilgai, wild pig, chinkara and cattle (Tables 7 and 8). To calculate prey densities, the effective strip widths obtained from distance sampling conducted in Kuno during 2014 were used, as both areas have similar terrain and vegetation composition. 

Based on observations regarding habitat and interactions with park management the actions required to be undertaken immediately are listed below-  

1. Boundary Fencing - Chain link fencing of the area in the Sanctuary (Figure 5c) length- 87 km, Cost approximately 20 Crore 

2.  Enhance protection - Recruitment of staff to fill up vacancies - Training of field staff in anti-poaching activities  

3. Assessment of prey and predator populations - To be conducted by Wildlife Institute of India with trained Forest Department staff and volunteers (if MP govt. agrees for fencing the area).  

4. Prey augmentation - Translocation of Chital (1000), blackbuck (500) and chinkara (200) 

5. Village relocation - Required in the fenced area  

6. Temple road and festival regulation - Vehicular movement on forest road to Ballarpur temple and shifting of the festival outside the PA 

With the current situation of Madhav NP, cheetah can only be introduced within a fenced area of the NP. The effectiveness of fencing in restoring habitats has been amply demonstrated in Mukundara TR predator enclosure. Such an investment in Madhav NP will help restore a substantial part of the National Park. Once the fence is erected and cheetah introduced after prey assessment/ and required augmentation, the success of the model should be assessed and subsequently the fenced area can be extended to the western part of the National Park. Madhav NP does not add substantially to the objective of establishing cheetah in India, but by introducing the cheetah to Madhav NP, the National Park would benefit substantially with the associated investments and also increase its potential for generating revenue through wildlife tourism.  

   6. Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary 

Nauradehi WLS was one of the priority sites identified in 2010 for cheetah reintroduction (Ranjitsinh and Jhala 2010) and an action plan for cheetah reintroduction prepared (Jhala et al. 2012). The forest department of Madhya Pradesh has already implemented a lot of actions mentioned in the plan. Noteworthy is the relocation of 12 of the 24 recommended villages targeted for relocation (Jhala et al 2012). A total of 15 villages have been relocated with plans of additional 10 villages to be relocated in 2021. These investments and management actions has resulted in visible and substantial recovery of Nauradehi WLS. The habitat is much improved with reduction of livestock grazing and an increase in wild prey. The habitat composed of open woodlands, savannah and patches of grasslands at relocated village sites form ideal conditions for cheetah reintroduction. 

A rapid site assessment was conducted from 01st to 03rd December 2020 to understand relative abundance of prey, quality of habitat and identify issues concerning park management. A total of 157km (Figure 6c) were covered using a slow-moving vehicle to obtain encounter rates and densities of prey species viz. chital, sambar, nilgai, wild pig, chinkara and cattle (Tables 9 and 10). To calculate prey densities, the effective strip widths obtained from distance sampling conducted in Kuno during 2014 were used, as both areas have similar terrain and vegetation composition. 

Based on observations regarding habitat and interactions with park management the actions required to be undertaken immediately are listed below- 

1. Boundary Fencing - Chain link fencing of the area in the Sanctuary (Figure 6d) length- ~230km, Cost ~50 Crore  

2. Enhance protection - Recruitment of staff to fill up vacancies - Training of field staff in anti-poaching activities 

3. Assessment of prey and predator populations - Conducted by Wildlife Institute of India with trained Forest Department staff and volunteers (if required).

4. Prey augmentation - By translocation of Chital (~1000), blackbuck (~500) and chinkara (~200). On an average cheetah family/coalition are expected to make a kill every 3-4 days. Considering finite growth rate of ungulates to be ~1.33 (Jhala et al., in press), a population of about 350 ungulates are required for a cheetah coalition family. The proposed prey base after augmentation along with existing prey can sustain 7-8 cheetah family/ coalitions.   

5. Construction of soft release enclosure for holding cheetah - Size 1km2 in Pipla grassland (Appendix 1). A predator enclosure of 1 km2 area to be constructed with four equal partitions. The height of the fence will have to be 2.5 m angled both inside and outside (Appendix 1). 

6. Village relocation - Relocation of the following villages might be required in the fenced area- Boma, Deolpani, Ankhikheda, Patna, Jamun, Khapa, Singhpuri 

7. Road regulation - Vehicular movement on two roads- (1) Sagar to Jabalpur and (2) Tendukheda to Deori have to be regulated with barriers and speed breakers 

8. Dog vaccination - In villages inside and on the periphery of the Sanctuary against rabies, canine distemper and parvovirus 

Since the cheetah reintroduction was put on-hold by the Hon’ble Supreme Court order of 2013, Madhya Pradesh has reintroduced a pair of tigers in the south-central portion of Nauradehi WLS. These tigers have bred and now have three sub-adult cubs. Newly reintroduced cheetah will find it difficult to escape tiger predation in a habitat unknown to them. Besides, despite several village relocations, Nauradehi still experiences a large amount of anthropogenic pressures from adjoining villages outside of the WLS borders. To initially contain cheetah within a restricted area, remove human impacts and to allow cheetah to establish without interference from tigers, an area on the northern and central parts of the WLS needs to be fenced (Figure 6d). This area (536 km2) has relatively better cheetah prey populations and is outside the range of the reintroduced tigers. The fencing will serve all of the above as well as allow prey populations to build up by stopping all poaching and through augmentation (if required). Once cheetah start to breed here and have established themselves the southern boundary fencing could be removed and the cheetah allowed to expand their range southwards and the tigers northward. Tigers are unlikely to cause extirpation of cheetah that are already established since they would know their habitat intimately so as to escape predation.

Roads with public access passing through the enclosed area (Figure 6d) would need to be regulated with barriers at both entry/exit points and with speed breakers to control vehicle speed <40 km/hr.

    7. Concluding Points 

As envisaged in the cheetah reintroduction in India (Ranjitsinh and Jhala 2010), several populations of cheetah (three to five) need to be established and subsequently managed as a meta- population. The above assessment was based on previous knowledge of many of the sites as well as a reconnaissance of their current status. As seen from the above assessment, cheetah introduction can be done at all the surveyed sites with appropriate investments (some more than others) and management actions. However, clearly, some sites have the potential to achieve the full range of objectives for the reintroduction of cheetah while others serve to address a limited number of objectives. For free ranging cheetah that would serve as a flagship and also perform their ecological role in a restored savannah-woodland system, clearly 1) Kuno National Park- Sheopur Forest landscape and 2) Gandhi Sagar-Chittorgarh-Bhainsrodgarh WLS with parts of Mukundara TR landscape adequately meet the criteria. Of these two, Kuno National Park is ready with the least investments required for reintroduction, while the Gandhi Sagar- Bhainsrodgarh landscape requires concurrence from the governments of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan and investments in terms of prey supplementation and protection. Both sites would benefit immensely through the cheetah reintroduction program and are priority landscapes. Nauradehi WLS has very high potential initially for housing a fenced population and later of becoming a free ranging population as well. Investments required here were for fencing and prey restoration.

The enclosure in Mukundara TR can immediately be used to bring cheetah into India and allow these animals to acclimatize prior to their release at other select sites. Also, Mukundara enclosure after extension can serve to hold a secure population of 3-4 cheetah breeding units and can be used to produce cheetah for reinforcements of reintroduced populations.  

   Necessary preparations 

From Government of Rajasthan for a) allocation of Mukundara TR enclosure for cheetah introduction and its expansion, b) allocation of some of the Territorial Chittorgarh Division ranges along with Bhainsrodgarh WLS for the larger inter-state cheetah conservation landscape.  

From the Government of Madhya Pradesh to allocate a) Territorial Neemuch and Mandsaur Division ranges adjoining Gandhi Sagar WLS as buffer and part of the larger Cheetah conservation landscape, b) Prey augmentation in Gandhi Sagar WLS, c) fencing part of Nauradehi WLS and prey augmentation.  

In addition to the above two, the states of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh can also opt to fence off Shergarh and Madhav as well as implement the recommendations mentioned above. If such an investment was undertaken, then both sites could potentially hold cheetah. These sites are not considered as priority for achieving the holistic objectives of cheetah reintroduction, but would serve to restore both sites and achieve the objectives of biodiversity conservation and eco-tourism. 

Based on the response from the two states, further actions will be taken up by WII and NTCA for the reintroduction of cheetah in India. Permission for work on assessment of prey is being sought for Mukundara TR, Kuno NP and Nauradehi WLS from the Chief Wildlife Wardens of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. 

Additional potential sites that need surveys in near future include the Shahgarh bulge in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan; Kaimur-Bagdhara complex, Guru Ghasidas NP, amongst a few others. Permissions for the above are being sought from the respective CWLW’s of Rajasthan, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh. 

    8. References

 Divyabhanusinh. (2002) The end of a trail: the cheetah in India. Oxford University Press, USA. 
    
Jhala et al. (2011) Action Plan for the Reintroduction of the Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) in Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh. Cheetah Task Force, Madhya Pradesh Forest Department and Wildlife Institute of India. 

Jhala et al. (2012) Action Plan for the Reintroduction of the Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) in Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh. Cheetah Task Force, Madhya Pradesh Forest Department and Wildlife Institute of India.  

Jhala et al. (in press) Recovery of tigers in India: Critical introspection and potential lessons. People and Nature.  

Ranjitsinh, M. K. & Jhala, Y. V. (2010) Assessing the potential for reintroducing the cheetah in India. Wildlife Trust of India, Noida, & Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun.

https://wii.gov.in/images//images/docume...t_2021.pdf Reply

[Ovie11]

Cheetah reintroduction within six months 

Senior scientist of Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, YV Jhala said in the meeting that if everything goes well then Madhya Pradesh can reintroduce cheetahs within six months in Palpur Kuno National Park.

Kuno and Nauradehi National Parks have been found apt for reintroduction of African cheetahs. It was told in the meeting that Kuno National Park has about 750 sq km of area where only one village is present and the process of its rehabilitation is in progress. 

Progress is also on in Nauradehi National Park where 13 out of total 63 villages in the national park have been shifted while the process for other villages is on. 

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[Ovie11]

3 sites in MP selected for hosting cheetah, officials to train in Africa 

A Supreme Court-appointed committee has selected four possible sites - three in Madhya Pradesh and one in Rajasthan - for cheetah introduction in the wild even as MP forest department officials plan a visit to Africa to train themselves on handling the fastest animal on the planet. 

"We found Kuno National Park, Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary and Gandhi Sagar-Chittorgarh in Madhya Pradesh and Bhainsrogarh Sanctuary in Rajasthan suitable for translocation of cheetahs because of an appropriate geophysical feature of forests. The areas are well protected and have well-managed grassland,” said Wildlife Institute Director Dhananjay Mohan, a member of the panel. 

The top court in January 2020 gave its approval to introduce African cheetahs to a suitable habitat in India on an experimental basis. The cheetah was declared extinct from India in 1952. 

The decision for relocation of the African cheetah, said the apex court, will be taken after a proper survey and the action of introduction of the animal will be left to the National Tiger Conservation Authority’s discretion. The cheetah will be introduced on an experimental basis in the best suitable habitat to see whether it can adapt to Indian conditions, the court had said. 

Of the three sites in MP, the state forest department has selected Kuno and Nauradehi wildlife sanctuaries as they have good grassland, key for survival of cheetahs. 

“Madhya Pradesh is planning to develop Kuno National Park in Sheopur and Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary spread in four districts of Bundelkhand of MP, for translocation of cheetah and the forest department is also preparing a special project ‘Cheetah’ to change the physical features of the forest, as suggested by the expert committee," said JS Chauhan, additional principal chief conservator of forest (APCCF), (wildlife). 

MP forest department will send a team of forest officials to Africa to gain expertise about Cheetah and to learn management practice of habitat to the fastest land animal, said the officer. 

Mohan said, “The geophysical feature of MP is suitable for Cheetah as the last Cheetah was seen in undivided MP in 1950s. India lost cheetahs at least 70 years ago. Nobody has any idea about cheetahs so it is necessary for forest officials to go and learn about the habitat of cheetahs." 

Retired PCCF (wildlife) SK Mandal said, “The state government shouldn’t send a political person and only top officers for training in Africa. It should be vertical training. The government should send top officers to lower staff for training to make the project successful.” 

The translocation of African Cheetah is a part of Government of India to reintroduce the fastest land animal in India after extinction of the Asiatic cheetah in the 1950s. The expert committee visited four sites in MP and one in Rajasthan to select the suitable habitat for Cheetah. In January first week, the committee submitted its report to the state government. 

"On the basis of the suggestion of the report, the forest department will cut down more than 200 thorny trees in Kuno. The grassland will also be changed. Now, the department will replace tall grass with short grass. In Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary, prey base will be increased, said a second MP forest officer, not willing to be named. 

In 2010, the central government set up an expert panel for reintroducing the cheetah in India. This panel recommended that the home of the fastest animal in the world could be Kuno Palpur in Madhya Pradesh, Velavadar National Park in Gujarat and Tal Chapar sanctuary in Rajasthan. Kuno Palpur was also the place prepared by Madhya Pradesh to house Asiatic lions from Gujarat, till the latter refused to share its pride. Kuno Palpur was the preferred location for the introduction of the cheetah. 


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[Ovie11]

Dream of seeing a lion in the forest of Madhya Pradesh will break if the cheetah is settled in Kuno 

The 28-year-old dream of hearing the roar of the Babbar lions in Madhya Pradesh's forest has come to a standstill. Gujarat government's reluctance to give lions and experts from the Wildlife Institute of India Dehradun's choice of Kuno Palpur for the Cheetah project is pointing to this. The government has also made it clear that the protected area of the state will be given to experts for the Cheetah project. In such a situation, forest officials are also assuming that instead of the Gandhara Sagar Sanctuary spread in Nauradehi, Mandsaur-Neemuch districts of Cheetah Sagar district and Madhav National Park in Shivpuri, Kuno will be settled in Palpur. 

The Government of India has approved the Cheetah project in the year 2010. Under this, a cheetah from Africa is to be settled in the country. There is talk of cheetah settling in Nauradehi Sanctuary since day one. Experts have also been describing this as the right place. This is the reason that cheetah-friendly arrangements were made by the year 2017 keeping the sanctuary empty. When the sanctuary was fully ready and there was a delay in the cheetah, tigers were shifted there. 

In December 2020, Nauradehi has been ranked second by the Sub Committee of the Central Empowered Committee of the Supreme Court, which came to Madhya Pradesh to find the proper place for the cheetah. Experts argue that only grass management is to be done in Kuno Palpur. While more work will have to be done in other protected areas. On which the state government will have to spend. It is clear that the Cheetah will be settled in Kuno Palpur, not in the Nauradehi Sanctuary. Recently, this fact has been revealed in the review meeting of the forest department. 

Kuno evacuated for Lions 

The Government of India approved the Singh project in the year 1992. These lions (Asiatic lion) of rare species have only Gujarat in the country. They are found in the Gir Sanctuary. Project was approved to protect this species from any epidemic.

Kuno Palpur was considered by scientists to be the most suitable place for lions to live. Hence 24 villages were displaced from the Kuno Sanctuary and made into a National Park. Despite all these efforts, lions could not be found from Gujarat. While in the year 2013, the Supreme Court has directed the Gujarat government to prepare an action plan to send the lion to Madhya Pradesh in six months, but the Gujarat government is continuously delaying the project by removing the loopholes. It has also become clear to some extent that Madhya Pradesh will not get lions. 

Battle of honor 

Experts say that the fight is a status symbol. This species is found only in Gujarat in the country. This is why tourists from all over the country reach Gujarat to see lions. Due to which the tourism industry of the state runs. If lions are settled in Kuno Palpur, then Kuno Palpur will be close for tourists coming from Delhi and the tourists will be divided in two places. Which will directly affect tourism. 

Translated from google 

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[peter]

OVIE

Excellent information about cheetah reintroduction in India. It didn't go unnoticed. Many thanks! Reply

[Ovie11]

Cheetahs from South Africa will be brought to the Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh 

There is good news for those interested in wildlife. By the end of this year, there will be seven cheetahs from Namibia in South Africa, including four female and three male cheetahs in the Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh. Till then, Kuno management will work with the removal of thorny acacia trees from four hundred and fifty square kilometers of forest area, such as fencing. In this regard, a letter from Under Secretary of Forest Department from Bhopal has come to DFO PK Verma on February 2. They have been asked to make preparations and come to Bhopal to discuss. 

It is noteworthy that in November 2020, Kuno Park was inspected by a team of expert senior scientist Dr. YV Jhala of Wildlife Institute of India, who was included in the Sub Committee of the Central Empower Committee. The park was found most suitable for cheetahs. The team reported in Bhopal and Delhi. 

The Kuno-Palpur National Park will be the first park in India, where cheetahs will come. The main reason for this is that the park is perfectly suited for cheetahs' habitat and food. Chintara and black deer are the favorite food of cheetahs, which are found here in abundance. According to experts, cheetahs require small wildlife and long open field areas. They need grass to hide, which are present here. These will be increased further. At present, there are more than seven thousand leopards in the world at present. A large number of them are found only in African countries. 

A budget of two and a half crores is needed 

According to DFO Verma, Kuno National needs around Rs 2.5 crore to fully prepare for the cheetah. There will be wire facing in an area of one and a half thousand square kilometers. It will cost around 50 lakh rupees. About two crore rupees will be spent in the removal of thorny acacia trees, dikechium and marble grasses. Since the Central Power Committee and Bhopal Coono National Park, it has been agreed to bring cheetah. Therefore, budget constraints will not come in the way. 

Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary came into existence in 1996 

Century came into existence in 1981 as the Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary in Sheopur. Its area then was 344.686 sq km. In September 2016, a proposal was sent to the Madhya Pradesh government, demanding that Kuno be given the status of National Park. It received the status of National Park in 2018. 

An area of 404.0758 square kilometers was added to it. Now its area has grown to 748.7618 square kilometers. According to Kuno DFO PK Verma, there is not a single cheetah in the country yet. The cheetah was last seen in 1948 in the jungle of Surguja. The central government was engaged in efforts to restore this species. In the year 2010, the central government asked the Madhya Pradesh government to prepare a sanctuary for cheetahs. 

Kuno will be the country's first national park, where cheetahs will arrive by the end of 2021. For this, a letter from the Under Secretary of the Forest Department from Bhopal has come two days ago. We have also been invited to discuss preparations. 

Translated from google 

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[Ovie11]

African Cheetah will not be brought to Nauradehi Sanctuary

The Nauradehi Sanctuary had been in the process of bringing African cheetahs for years, for which former DFO cheetahs had gone to see Africa and after returning from there, work was started on this project, but the Supreme Court's instructions in the last few days. But a thirty-member team came to inspect Nauradehi along with other sanctuaries in the state. Which has prepared its report and given it to the Central Government and on the basis of the report, the Government has given permission to bring cheetah to Koo no Palpur Park, located between Morena and Sheopur district. The team found some deficiencies in the Nauradehi Sanctuary, leaving the cheetah project out of its hands. 

Nauradehi Sanctuary got third establishment 

Preparations were on in full swing to bring cheetah to the Fay le Nauradehi Sanctuary in three districts. It was believed that the extinct Cheetah from India would be brought to the Nauradehi Sanctuary itself, this was the biggest gift for the entire Bundelkhand region. Since the cheetah was to be brought to India only after the Supreme Court's directive, and in the past, the Supreme Court allowed the cheetah to shift to India and also formed a thirty-member team. Apart from Nauradehi Sanctuary, he was supposed to visit Koo No Park and other sanctuaries. The team from Dehradun inspected the Nauradehi Sanctuary or furthermore Koo no Palpur Park, which is between Morena and Sheopur district, the team also came to see the suitable place for cheetah. Apart from this, inspection of Gandhi Sagar Park and Rajasthan Sanctuary was also done out of which Ku No Palpur Park has been selected by the team to bring cheetah and it was the first Place found. Gandhi Sagar Park in the second place and Nauradehi Sanctuary in the third place. 

The existence of tigers and lack of order became a hindrance 

Nauradehi Sanctuary is the largest sanctuary in the state, but the team from Dehradun found deficiencies here and did not consider this sanctuary to be a cheetah. The team members found a lack of fencing here and grasslands were also found less as the cheetah lives in the buffalo and hides its prey here. In the Nauradehi Sanctuary, three cubs are living along with tigers and tigers in the carnivorous animals. As a result, the team did not consider Nauradehi suitable for the Cheetah project. The team members said that the tiger may attack the cheetah and attack it and this is why the team from Dehradun placed the Nauradehi Sanctuary in third place. While Kuno Palpur Park and Gandhi Sagar Park do not have any big animal like tiger, hence Kuno Palpur Park is considered right for cheetah. 

Kuno Palpur did not get Gir lion 

It may be noted that the construction of Kuno Palpur Park was mainly done to bring Asiatic Lions from Gujarat, but the Gujarat Government did not give Asiatic Lion to Kuno Palpur Park and due to this the park is empty of big animals. Though there are many small animals here, but there is no big carnivorous animal and due to this, cheetah can live here easily.  

The effort to bring the cheetah to India has been going on since 2010 and in the year 2017, it was agreed to bring the cheetah to the Nauradehi sanctuary in Sagar district of MP and under it the displacement of the village under Nauradehi sanctuary was also done, but Neither the cheetah project continued to get interrupted and the tiger-tigress was shifted here in 2018 before the cheetah arrived. There are also three cubs and due to this the Cheetah project got out of the Nauradehi Sanctuary. Kuno Palpur Park was built 28 years ago, was to be brought here from Gujarat from Babbar and due to this the entire park is lying empty, but the lion could not come. 

In this regard, Nauradehi DFO Rakhi Nanda said that it is true that the survey team from Dehradun has selected Kuno Palpur Park to bring cheetah and has given second place to Gandhi Sagar Park. Nauradehi Sanctuary has been ranked third. The team has found a lack of some fencing in Nauradehi, which has been instructed to complete soon. Also, the presence of a tiger in Nauradehi is not considered suitable for the cheetah, so the cheetah project has left the Nauradehi Sanctuary, but in the future it may be that the cheetah will bring Nauradehi.

Translated from google 

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[Ovie11]

Nairadehi Sanctuary:Tiger's family's food crisis in Nairadehi, 63 chital brought from Pench Sanctuary 

. Preparations are being made to bring 1000 chital, tiger-tiger-born cubs have become jawans  

. WII survey will come again in a day for African cheetahs 

The Nairadehi Sanctuary, which is being prepared for African cheetahs, is not getting enough food for the tiger-tigress and the three young cubs. They are not hungry, so animals are being brought from the second century. So far 63 chital have arrived from Pench Sanctuary at Nairadehi. Preparations are on to bring around 1000 chital. There are many vegetarian creatures in the sanctuary too, but their number is already reduced.  

Due to which a separate family has to be fed to feed the growing tiger family. Born in tiger Kishan and tigress Radha, there are two females and one male in the cubs. Teens have been over two years old. Apart from the mother, the cubs have now started hunting themselves. In the jungle, they often do not find creatures worth hunting. In this situation, there is not enough food for them. 

To overcome this crisis, Nairadehi Forest Division sent a demand to bring 1000 chital from Pench Sanctuary after the birth of cubs. There have been 63 chital in the right shift. Some more chital will be coming soon. Naveen Garhi, DFO in-charge of Nairadehi told that I have taken charge of Nairadehi only two-three days ago. Screws are being brought from Chital. I am taking information from forest officials in this regard. There will be no shortage of food for the wagons. 

Dehradun's wildlife experts coming to Nauradehi for the second time will stay here for about 1 month.  

DFO Garg said that the WII survey team will reach Nauradehi   in a day or so for shifting of African cheetahs. Dehradun's wild life experts coming to Nauradehi  for the second time will stay here for about 1 month and will explore possibilities for nesting in the cheetah sanctuary. The survey was also done two months ago. 

Three sanctuaries of MP have been selected for cheetah shifting. These include Kuna Palpur, Gandhi Sagar and Nairadehi Sanctuary. After the first survey, it has received green signal to bring cheetah to Kune Palpur. There is again a survey for cheetah shifting in Nairadehi. 

Translated from google 

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[Ovie11]

Madhya Pradesh: African cheetah expected to enter the country, Kuno and Nauradehi reached expert team 

The chances of African cheetah in the country have increased further. This opportunity may be available to Tiger State Madhya Pradesh, as the Kuno Palpur National Park and Nauradehi Sanctuary, which have passed the first examination of suitable conditions to settle the cheetah, are answering in the second examination. The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) Dehradun has sent study teams to both the places. Its expert teams will stay in both protected areas for one and half months and study the area closely. Based on this, it will be decided whether the leopard can be settled at both places. During this time, both the parties will also find out whether there have been cheetahs in the respective protected areas. 

With this, the second phase of the cheetah exercise has started in the state. The WII has started studying Kuno Palpur and Nauradehi after the Supreme Court's Central Empowered Committee (CEC) sub-committee report and the consent of the state government to settle Cheetah in Kuno Palpur. 

The institute has sent four researchers Kuno Palpur and four Nauradehi. Who have started work. Both the parties are currently inspecting their respective areas. After this detailed study will start. The study will cover all the aspects necessary to establish a cheetah. 

Significantly, the sub-committee of CEC was on a state visit from November 23 to December 3, 2020. The committee inspected Kuno Palpur, Nauradehi, Madhav National Park Shivpuri and Gandisagar Sanctuary, Mandsaur. Of these, Kuno Palpur and Nauradehi were preferred due to the cheetah-friendly climate. 

This will remain included in the study 

Researchers specialize on the availability of grass in the respective areas, its height and quality, the diameter of the field area, the loophole to hide, the small perennial water source, the chital-sambhar, the number of deer and nilgai in the areas, the manner of monitoring wildlife Will prepare a detail report.

The central government will decide on the basis of the report 

Both the parties will submit their study report to the Union Forest Ministry in two and a half to three months. After this there will be a meeting with the forest officials of the state and then the central government can give consent to settle cheetah in the most favorable or both of these protected areas. After this the Detail Project Report (DPR) will be prepared to bring cheetah from South African country Namibia. After approval, the process of bringing cheetah to the country will begin. 

JS Chauhan, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests of Madhya Pradesh told that study teams have come to Kuno Palpur and Nauradehi. Both have also started studying. This will last one and a half months.  

Translated from google  

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African cheetah will become the identity of chalet 

The African Cheetah will now become the identity of the Chalet Forest area. For this, the team of National Tiger Conservation Authority has seen the possibilities of preparing for cheetah settlement by visiting here. Here, the chalet forest area still comes under the Forest Department. Proposals have also been prepared to hand it over to the Mukandra Tiger Reserve area. As soon as these proposals are approved, the process of cheetah will be started here. In fact, the Chalet Forest area is located just a short distance from the Mukandra Tiger Reserve area. The Forest Department believes that this forest area will also be inhabited by wildlife after bringing the African Cheetah here. Right now the number of black deer and common deer is quite high here. With the arrival of this area in the tiger reserve area, there will be other wildlife including cheetah. Also, when the Mukandra area is opened for tourists, this area will also be connected to the tourism circuit. Tourist here Jaladurg, Looking at Gagaron, Chalet will be able to reach the forest area. This area will also be safe for wildlife. The Chalet Forest area is spread over an area of 1500 hectares. 

Translated from google 

https://www.bhaskar.com/local/rajasthan/kota/jhalawar/news/african-cheetah-will-become-the-identity-of-chalet-128254295.html?fbclid=IwAR0iTE_SQTjcObD4-nuyvYHy2nS0mz-lUlDD9mVXoRW0OFtKwG0A7Yv5aag Reply