Relevance: GS Paper III – Environment & Biodiversity Conservation
Source: The Hindu, Ministry of Environment statements
The News
India is finalising a fresh agreement with Botswana to import a new batch of African cheetahs for the ongoing Cheetah Reintroduction Programme at Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh.
This follows earlier translocations from Namibia (2022) and South Africa (2023). The move aims to stabilise the cheetah population after multiple deaths were recorded in 2023–24 due to stress, disease, and habitat challenges.
Indian vs African Cheetah
Feature | Indian Cheetah (Extinct, 1952) | African Cheetah (Current) |
| Status | Extinct in wild; last sighted in India in 1947 | Healthy populations in Namibia, Botswana, South Africa |
| Subspecies | Acinonyx jubatus venaticus | Acinonyx jubatus jubatus |
| Morphology | Slightly smaller, paler coat | Larger, stronger build |
| Habitat preference | Dry grasslands, open plains | Savannahs, woodlands |
| Conservation status | Extinct in India | Vulnerable (IUCN) |
Precautions and Way Ahead
Area | Key Actions |
| Habitat & Ecology | Strengthen habitat management; expand prey base; ensure climate suitability and shade in Indian summers. |
| Monitoring & Health | Improve tracking with radio collars/GPS; enhance veterinary care; continuous post-release monitoring. |
| Human Interface | Reduce anthropogenic pressure; prevent human–wildlife conflict around buffer zones. |
| Long-term Strategy | Develop multiple reserves for a metapopulation; collaborate with African experts; integrate with Project Cheetah, Wildlife Protection Act, and SDG 15. |
| Implementation Approach | Adopt gradual, evidence-based scaling rather than rapid translocations. |
UPSC Prelims Practice Question
Consider the following statements regarding the Cheetah Reintroduction Programme in India:
- The African cheetah belongs to a different subspecies than the extinct Indian cheetah.
- The project aims to establish a viable metapopulation of cheetahs in India.
- Cheetahs were declared extinct in India in the 1970s.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
One-line Wrap: India’s renewed partnership with Botswana strengthens its long-term cheetah revival effort, but success depends on scientific management, habitat readiness, and sustained monitoring.
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