Cheetah Reintroduction in India

[Sanju]

Since, 1980's Indian government wanted to regain it's extinct animal which is the only large vertebrate or placental mammal extinct in past 200 yrs i.e.., Indian or Asiatic cheetah (Acionyx jubatus venaticus) which was extinct in 1950's officially. Since then, then UPA or Congress Government wanted to bring back the Asiatic cheetah.

1. Asiatic Cheetah Reintroduction Project from Iran to India was first considered for this vital conservation effort. However, it is lost now and almost impossible as currently Gir lions can't be shifted even to other states within the country and so there is no question going outside country. Secondly, Iranian AKA Asiatic cheetah is almost extinct in wild with less than 40 individuals counted individually left and the population trend is decreasing according to recent census with hostile human matrix and other anthropological factors, low prey base, lack of full fledged protection due to insufficient funds etc..,

2. Cheetah Reintroduction from Namibia was looked as an alternative for this Project after the lost hope of Iran and this is treated as last thing left to do. This alternative option is being constantly verified by government of Madhya Pradesh as both are of same species and not against rule of introduction of non-native "species" according IUCN guidelines and helpful in conservation of "at least" South African cheetah outside the Africa continent as Asiatic cheetah can't be saved now and restoring the balance for the collapsing or vanishing Indian Grassland or Scublands ecosystems and it’s biodiversity which Humans also depend in many ways directly and indirectly. These can be saved by this Project alongside Asiatic lion Reintroduction Project. Namibia and South Africa is ready to give some cheetahs to India when India asked after the order of Supreme Court in 2013.

Conflicts can be mitigated with the proper awareness and educational programs with the local communities like making them distinguish between leopard and cheetah. As India, doesn't want a big population like in Africa but a small sub or meta population, the space required for about 50 individuals in each proposed site. So, there is ample space in places like Nauradehi and enough for approximately 60 individuals in Kuno and sizable populations in other parts of Rajasthan reserves like Desert NP and Shahgarh bulge and for those populations prey base in numbers and diversity are Blackbuck, Indian gazelle, Chital, Sambar, Nilagai or Bluebull and Chausinga etc.., is fair and adequate in Kuno and Nauradehi with a potential to hold a good and healthy population.

With proper protection and measures, these populations can be increased more in those reintroduced regions/areas. Let's see how table turns. Reply