Current Status of the Introduction of African Cheetahs in India

Background of Project Cheetah:

• Project Cheetah was initiated as an ambitious attempt by India to translocate African cheetahs and reintroduce them into Indian ecosystems, especially to help revive the savanna habitats and restore ecological balance.
• The Cheetah Action Plan (CAP) emphasizes both conservation of the species and restoration of India’s dry-open forest/savanna ecosystems, primarily through eco-tourism and habitat rehabilitation.
• Cheetahs, having gone extinct in India over 70 years ago, were chosen as a flagship species to symbolize the rejuvenation of these ecosystems.

Key Challenges Faced by the Project:

1.     Prolonged Captivity and Cheetah Deaths:

o    The African cheetahs brought from Namibia and South Africa have spent extended periods in captivity far beyond the prescribed timelines.

o    Long-term confinement has made it difficult for the cheetahs to adapt to the wild, and several fatalities have raised concerns about the viability of the project.

o    As of now, out of the 20 African cheetahs translocated, several have died due to reasons like pre-existing health conditions, heat strokes, and physiological challenges.

2.     Mortality and Management Issues:

o    Several cheetahs died even before they were released into the wild. The CAP's plan to have these cheetahs adapt to India’s ecosystem by gradual release into Kuno National Park has been hampered by health complications and inadequate adaptation strategies.

o    Failures in choosing the healthiest animals for translocation, combined with their susceptibility to the Indian climate, led to fatalities. For example, some cheetahs developed conditions like hypokalaemia and septicaemia.

o    A few cubs also died from extreme heat conditions and other factors, with some cubs born in captivity facing injuries like broken spines.

3.     Habitat and Ecological Concerns:

o    Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh was chosen as the release site for its suitable habitat and adequate prey base.

o    However, despite the habitat’s suitability, cheetahs remain largely in captivity within enclosures known as bomas. This has prevented them from becoming free-ranging animals in the wild, which was a key objective of the project.

o    Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary and Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary were identified as additional release sites, but delays in their readiness have shifted the timeline for further cheetah releases.

4.     Local and Institutional Responsibility:

o    The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change (MoEFCC), and the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department are the primary institutions responsible for implementing and overseeing Project Cheetah.

o    The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) provides technical input, while an expert committee, chaired by Rajesh Gopal, offers guidance on project execution.

Current Status and Future Prospects:

• Despite initial setbacks and fatalities, the long-term goal of Project Cheetah is to establish a self-sustaining population of cheetahs in India, with a focus on building a viable metapopulation that can thrive in Kuno and other potential habitats.
• The project is expected to take at least 15-30 years to meet its long-term success criteria, including the establishment of cheetahs in the wild, improvements in habitat quality, and benefits to local communities through eco-tourism.
• However, significant obstacles remain, such as securing sufficient habitat space (estimated at 4,000-8,000 sq. km), scientific management, and garnering community support for sustained conservation efforts.

In summary, Project Cheetah remains a highly ambitious but challenging conservation initiative. While the introduction of African cheetahs has brought excitement, the project’s future hinges on overcoming obstacles like prolonged captivity, cheetah fatalities, and habitat issues. The eventual success of the project depends on ensuring scientific management, expanding viable habitats, and creating sustainable eco-tourism benefits for local communities.

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