Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh has in news with a historic milestone with the birth of cheetah cubs, signaling progress in India's ongoing efforts to reintroduce the species. The birth was attributed to a female cheetah named Nirva, a part of the ambitious Project Cheetah. This initiative, launched under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aims to restore the cheetah population to India after the species went extinct in the country in 1952.
Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia applauded the event, describing it as a "significant achievement" for Project Cheetah. He emphasized the birth of these cubs as a promising step towards the project's long-term success.
Project Cheetah's Journey: Challenges and Triumphs The reintroduction of cheetahs to India began in 2022 with the translocation of 20 cheetahs from Africa—eight from Namibia and twelve from South Africa. While the project faced difficulties, including the unfortunate deaths of eight adult cheetahs, there have been encouraging signs of progress. A total of 17 cubs have been born since the project's launch, and 12 of them have survived, bringing the current cheetah population in Kuno National Park to 24.
Expansion Plans Beyond Kuno National Park The Indian government is not stopping with Kuno. Efforts are underway to extend the project to other regions. Plans are in progress to introduce cheetahs to the Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, another reserve located in Madhya Pradesh. The Environment Ministry is also collaborating with international partners in South Africa and Kenya to bring in more cheetahs. This includes enhancing prey availability and ensuring the safety of the relocated animals, with the goal of establishing a self-sustaining cheetah population.
A Hopeful Path Forward Despite the challenges encountered, Project Cheetah is showing signs of promise. The initiative has sparked optimism among wildlife experts and conservationists about the successful revival of the cheetah population in India. The birth of new cubs, like those recently delivered by Nirva, symbolizes hope and progress towards the project's ultimate goal: the full reestablishment of the cheetah as a thriving species within India's ecosystem.
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