Why in News?
MP plans to introduce a female cheetah to Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, making it a second home for cheetahs after Kuno National Park (KNP) under Project Cheetah.
|
Project Cheetah
|
- About: Launched in 2022 to reintroduce cheetahs; world’s first intercontinental carnivore translocation project under Project Tiger.
- Implementation: Managed by NTCA, in collaboration with MP Forest Dept. & WII; Cheetah Project Steering Committee was formed in 2023.
|
- Objective: Establish cheetah populations in safe habitats, restore ecosystems, promote eco-development & ecotourism, and reduce human-wildlife conflict.
- Achievements: 8 cheetahs from Namibia & 12 from South Africa relocated to KNP; 350+ ‘Cheetah Mitras’ educate locals & mitigate conflict.
|
Conservation Status of Cheetah
- IUCN Status: Vulnerable
- CITES: Appendix I
- WPA, 1972: Schedule I
|
Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary
- Location: Northwestern MP, bordering Rajasthan, in the Khathiar-Gir dry deciduous forests ecoregion.
- Ecosystem: Features savanna (suitable for cheetah reintroduction like Maasai Mara in Kenya); Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA).
- Topography: Includes Gandhi Sagar Dam & Chambal River (bifurcates the sanctuary into two nearly equal parts).
- Historical Sites: Chaurasigarh, Chaturbhuj Nala rock shelters, Bhadkaji rock paintings, & Hinglajgarh Fort.
|
