Cheetahs straying from Kuno and reaching Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh-Rajasthan Joint Committee formed for monitoring

Bhopal : In view of the incidents of cheetahs wandering from the state of Madhya Pradesh into the neighboring state of Rajasthan, a joint corridor management committee of both the states has been formed. This committee will work for the conservation of leopards. Along with this, this committee will also discuss the development of suitable areas for future translocation of cheetahs from Kuno National Park (KNP) and Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary Area of ​​Madhya Pradesh and recommend improvement measures.

Let us tell you that in the month of May this year, a cheetah wandering from KNP had reached Karoli district of Rajasthan, which was later brought back to Madhya Pradesh. Apart from this, in December 2023, a cheetah strayed from KNP and reached Baran district of Rajasthan, which was later brought back to KNP. An official said that in view of these incidents, a joint committee of officials of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan has been formed for the corridor management of Cheetah Project.

Committee will prepare MOU for both the states

This committee will discuss and prepare an MOU between the two states to study the development and management of the corridor for the movement and conservation of cheetahs. It will also discuss capacity building of officers and front line staff engaged in monitoring, patrolling and other tasks for the management of cheetahs passing through the existing corridor from KNP to Rajasthan. The committee will also evaluate the possibilities of joint tourist routes in the areas bordering the two states. These areas bordering the two states include National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary area, Kuno National Park and Ranthambore National Park etc.

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These will be the members of the committee

An official said that the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Conservator (Wildlife) of MP and Rajasthan have been appointed as joint chairpersons of the committee. Other officials named as members of the committee include Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) of MP and Rajasthan, Director (Project Tiger-Cheetah Project) Shivpuri, representatives of the National Tiger Conservation Authority for both the states and Wildlife Institute of India (WII). , including a representative nominated by Dehradun.

Total 24 leopards in Kuno National Park

It is noteworthy that under the ambitious cheetah reintroduction project of the Government of India, 8 Namibian cheetahs were released into enclosures in KNP in Sheopur district on September 17, 2022. After this, 12 more leopards were brought here from South Africa in February 2023. In the last two years, 17 cheetah cubs have been born in KNP, which is a very good sign for this project. However, there has also been some loss, due to which 8 adult leopards and 5 cubs died here in the same two years. Currently there are 24 leopards including cubs in Kuno National Park.

(with agency input)