Indian Oil signs MoU with National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) for transcontinental relocation of ‘cheetah’ in its historical range in India

Due to the extinction of Asiatic Cheetahs in India, Indian Government has planned to introduces the African Cheetahs, has not only national importance but is also essential for balancing the ecosystem. Cheetah has a very special significance for the national conservation ethic and ethos.

‘Project Cheetah’ is one-of-a-kind

projects in which a species is being restored in the country by bringing it

from out of the country (from South Africa / Namibia).

Under this

project, a source population of 8-10

Cheetahs will be flown in from Namibia and South Africa and will be introduced

at Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh.

It is a

national project involving National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), Govt.

of India and the State Govt. of Madhya Pradesh.

Former cheetah

range states, i.e., Gujarat, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, were

prioritized.

The other sites

recommended for holding and conservation breeding of cheetah in India, in

controlled wild conditions are:

oNauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary - Madhya Pradesh

oGandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary – Bhainsrorgarh

Wildlife Sanctuary complex -Madhya Pradesh

oShahgarh bulge in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan

oMukundara Tiger Reserve as fenced enclosure -

Rajasthan