Cheetah Conservation Collab by Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan

Establishment of the Joint Corridor Management Committee

• In response to incidents of cheetahs straying from Madhya Pradesh into Rajasthan, a joint corridor management committee has been established.
• The committee is co-chaired by the Principal Chief Conservators of Forest (PCCF) and Chief Conservators of Forest (Wildlife) from both Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
• The committee includes senior forest officials, representatives from the National Tiger Conservation Authority, and an expert from the Wildlife Institute of India.
• The formation of this joint committee aims to enhance coordination between the two states for the sustainable conservation of the cheetah population.

Objectives and Key Responsibilities of the Committee

• The primary objective of the committee is to develop and manage a cheetah corridor between Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, ensuring the safe movement of the big cats.
• The committee will identify the 'Cheetah Conservancy Landscape' within the corridor, designating areas suitable for the safe passage of cheetahs.
• The committee will formulate a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two states to establish the feasibility and modalities of the corridor development.
• The committee will explore the potential for joint tourism routes, connecting areas like the National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary, Kuno National Park, and Ranthambore National Park, to boost eco-tourism and wildlife conservation.
• The committee will also focus on capacity building for forest officers and frontline staff responsible for monitoring, patrolling, and managing cheetahs in the corridor.
• Additionally, the committee will recommend measures for habitat improvement, such as grassland development and prey base augmentation, to support the future migration of cheetahs.

Background and Current Status of the Cheetah Reintroduction Project

• The cheetah reintroduction project in Madhya Pradesh began in 2022, with the release of eight cheetahs from Namibia into enclosures at Kuno National Park.
• In early 2023, an additional 12 cheetahs were brought from South Africa and introduced to the park.
• However, the project has faced some challenges, with incidents of cheetahs straying from Kuno National Park into neighboring Rajasthan.
• Currently, there are 24 cheetahs, including cubs, at Kuno National Park, and 17 cheetah cubs have been born on Indian soil over the past two years.
• Despite the setbacks, the project continues with efforts to stabilize and expand the cheetah population within a safe and managed framework.