Reintroduction of the Cheetahs in the Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary

Context

The Madhya Pradesh government has recently completed its preparations for the reintroduction of the cheetahs in the Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, which will be the second home for cheetahs in India, after the Kuno National Park (KNP).

About the Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary

• Location:

• • • The sanctuary (notified in 1974) is spread throughout (an area of 368.62 sq.Km) the districts of Mandsaur (187.12 sq km) and Neemuch (181.5 square km) in western MP, right on the border with Rajasthan.
    • The Chambal River cuts the sanctuary into two nearly equal halves and the Gandhi Sagar dam (constructed on the river in 1960) lies in the location of the sanctuary.

• Ecosystem:

• • Due to the rocky terrain and shallow topsoil, the savanna environment – comprising open grasslands interspersed with dry deciduous timber and shrubs, belongs to the sanctuary.
  • However, the riverine valleys of the sanctuary are evergreen.
  • Why is Gandhi Sagar a perfect habitat for cheetahs? According to MP’s natural world officials, the sanctuary makes for best cheetah habitat, as it looks like Maasai Mara – a national reserve in Kenya recognized for its savanna desert and natural world.

Preparations for the Introduction of Cheetahs in Gandhi Sagar

• Currently, an area of 64 square km has been developed for the cheetahs, at a value of Rs. 17.72 crores.
• A gentle release enclosure (or boma, which is 1 sq.Km in area) has been constructed to ensure a suitable and stable habitat for the cheetahs upon their arrival.
  • A hospital has additionally been constructed to cater to the needs of cheetahs.
• In order to gauge the present ecological dynamics, the wildlife officers are currently in the manner of accomplishing a complete reputation evaluation of herbivores and predators within the sanctuary.
• The Chairperson of the Cheetah Steering Committee become tasked to oversee and evaluate the overall readiness of the WLS –
  • To ensure that the sanctuary is adequately prepared and prepared and
  • To assist the successful integration and conservation of cheetahs in its natural environment.

Challenges in Making Gandhi Sagar a Viable Cheetah Habitat

• Food: For cheetahs to sustainably continue to exist in Gandhi Sagar, the first step is prey base augmentation, i.e. growing the number of animals that the wild cats can prey upon.
• Leopard and different co-predators: Just like in Kuno, the leopard populace in Gandhi Sagar will pose a hazard to cheetahs, with the two tom cat predators likely clashing with each other for the same prey.
• Human habitation: Unlike Kuno, highways and human habitation pass right outside the boundary of the included location in Gandhi Sagar.
• Inter and intra country coordination: The capability of expanding the cheetah habitat in Gandhi Sagar to an area of round 2,000 sq.Km will depend upon
  • The coordination between Rajasthan’s Bhainsrodgarh sanctuary,
  • As well as the territorial divisions of Mandsaur and Neemuch.
• Infection: The very last name on while the cheetahs might be imported from Namibia and South Africa could be made after the monsoons, throughout which the cats can be prone to infection.

Source: The Indian Express

UPSC Prelims Practice Question

Q. Consider the following: (2012)

1. Black-necked crane
2. Cheetah
3. Flying squirrel
4. Snow leopard

Which of the above are naturally found in India?

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only

(b) 1, 3 and 4 only

(c) 2 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Ans: (b)

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