The initiative focuses on bringing back cheetahs into India where restoration of ecological balance supporting biodiversity and increasing wildlife tourism can be bolstered.
Cheetah Extinction in India India declared cheetahs as extinct in the year 1952 therefore this project stands as a most crucial step back towards reversal.
Timeline and Partnership
- Project Starts
- The relocation plan was devised in 2009 and sanctioned by the Supreme Court of India back in 2020
- Partnerships
- The initiative is in partnership with the Cheetah Conservation Fund CCF an international organization initiated in Namibia in 1990
- Training Programs
- Approximately 400 Cheetah Mitras from 51 villages have been trained to spread awareness about the nature of cheetah behavior and conservation
Implementation Updates
- Cheetah Importation
- India has imported eight cheetahs consisting of five females and three males
- A total of 20 cheetahs will be introduced with 12 coming from South Africa and eight from Namibia
- Habitats
- Cheetahs are released into national parks and wildlife sanctuaries selected as suitable habitats
- Historic Negotiations Efforts
- To relocate cheetahs date back to the 1970s including discussions with Iran.
Conservation and Ecological Benefits
- Species Conservation
- The reintroduction of cheetahs helps in conserving a threatened species
- Ecosystem Recovery
- Their presence helps in restoring natural ecological functions
- Habitat Conservation
- Protecting cheetahs indirectly helps conserve other flora and fauna in shared habitats
- Awareness and Education
- Improved public understanding of wildlife conservation and characteristics of cheetahs
- Scientific Research
- This allows for new research on species adaptation and ecosystem restoration
- Human Wildlife Conflicts
- Mitigation Training and awareness reduce adverse interactions between the cheetah and local communities
