Project Cheetah
Project Cheetah is a conservation initiative launched by the Government of India to reintroduce the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus), the world’s fastest land animal, into the country after it had been declared locally extinct in 1952. This project represents the first international translocation of cheetahs into the wild, making it a landmark experiment in species revival and ecological restoration.
Background and Extinction in India
Cheetahs once roamed vast stretches of India, particularly in grasslands and semi-arid regions. Historically, they were found in states such as Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and parts of the Deccan plateau. The animals were often captured and trained by Mughal and other Indian rulers for hunting purposes, especially in coursing antelopes and gazelles.
The Asiatic cheetah, once widespread across India, faced severe decline due to:
- Overhunting by royalty and colonial rulers.
- Loss of habitat through agricultural expansion and deforestation.
- Decline in prey base, especially blackbuck and chinkara.
- Poaching and capture for hunting and trade.
By the mid-20th century, the species had vanished from India. The last recorded sighting occurred in 1947 in Koriya district of present-day Chhattisgarh, and in 1952 the cheetah was officially declared extinct in the country.
Genesis of Project Cheetah
The idea of reintroducing cheetahs in India had been under discussion since the 1970s, but it gained momentum in the early 21st century. After several feasibility studies and legal clearances, the Supreme Court of India in 2020 allowed the government to introduce African cheetahs on an experimental basis.
Project Cheetah was formally launched on 17 September 2022 by the Prime Minister of India at Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh, marking the 72nd birthday of the leader. The first batch of eight cheetahs—five females and three males—were flown in from Namibia, Africa. Later, in February 2023, an additional 12 cheetahs were brought from South Africa.
Objectives of the Project
Project Cheetah has several ecological and conservation objectives:
- Restoration of Grassland Ecosystems: Cheetahs act as flagship species for grasslands, drawing attention to the protection of these often-neglected habitats.
- Biodiversity Enhancement: By reintroducing a top predator, the project aims to strengthen trophic interactions and ecosystem balance.
- Conservation Awareness: The project has generated global attention, serving as a case study in large carnivore reintroduction.
- Tourism and Economy: The presence of cheetahs is expected to boost eco-tourism and local employment opportunities.
Implementation and Management
The project involves international collaboration, primarily with Namibia and South Africa, where cheetah populations remain stable. Important aspects include:
- Site Selection: Kuno National Park was chosen for its large expanse (748 sq. km), grassland habitat, and prey availability. Other potential sites identified include Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary (Madhya Pradesh), Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve (Rajasthan), and Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary (Madhya Pradesh).
- Monitoring: Each cheetah is equipped with radio collars and tracked via satellite and ground teams for movement, hunting patterns, and health.
- Adaptation Period: The cheetahs were initially kept in quarantine enclosures before being released into larger acclimatisation zones and eventually into the wild.
- Veterinary Care: Specialised teams of wildlife veterinarians, biologists, and forest officials monitor their well-being.
Challenges and Criticism
While Project Cheetah is ambitious, it faces several ecological, logistical, and ethical challenges:
- Adaptation Issues: African cheetahs may face difficulty adjusting to India’s climate, prey base, and disease environment.
- Mortality Concerns: Since their release, several cheetah deaths have been reported due to stress, territorial fights, infections, and climate-related factors.
- Carrying Capacity: Experts debate whether Indian reserves have sufficient space and prey density to sustain a viable cheetah population.
- Genetic Authenticity: Critics argue that since Asiatic cheetahs are critically endangered (surviving only in Iran), introducing African cheetahs does not restore the original subspecies.
- Resource Allocation: Some conservationists believe that resources could be better spent on protecting existing endangered species such as tigers, leopards, and Great Indian Bustards.
Significance
Despite challenges, Project Cheetah holds symbolic and ecological importance. It represents India’s commitment to biodiversity conservation under global frameworks such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The project also highlights India’s efforts in re-wilding, ecological restoration, and international wildlife cooperation.
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