• UGI USER
  • Jul 03, 2024
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SECOND HOME FOR CHEETAHS: GANDHI SAGAR SANCTUARY

Why in the news?

  • Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh is set to become the second home for cheetahs in India due to the carrying capacity of Kuno National Park being exceeded.
  • The overabundance of cheetahs in Kuno has led to a significant reduction in their main prey base, the chital, by 25%.
Source: IE

About Project Cheetah :

Phase-1 (Started in 2022)

  • Aim: Restore cheetah population, declared extinct in India in 1952.
  • Action: Translocate cheetahs from South Africa and Namibia to Kuno National Park.
  • Implementation: Managed by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), in collaboration with the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department and Wildlife Institute of India (WII).

Phase-2 (Future Plans)

  • Consideration: Sourcing cheetahs from Kenya due to habitat similarities.
  • Translocation Sites: Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh.
About Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary

Location

  • Notified in 1974, located in Mandsaur and Neemuch districts of western Madhya Pradesh, bordering Rajasthan.
  • The Chambal River divides the sanctuary, and the Gandhi Sagar Dam is within its boundaries.

Ecosystem

  • Characterized by rocky terrain and shallow topsoil, supporting a savanna ecosystem.
  • Features open grasslands, dry deciduous trees, shrubs, and evergreen riverine valleys.

Ideal Habitat for Cheetahs

  • Resembles Kenya’s Maasai Mara, known for its savanna wilderness and abundant wildlife, making it suitable for cheetahs.

Associated Article:

https://universalinstitutions.com/project-tiger/