India-Botswana Cheetah Translocation Pact
Context:
During the State visit of President to Botswana, India and Botswana formally announced the translocation of eight cheetahs from the African nation to India
Indian President and Botswana's President witnessed a symbolic event at the Mokolodi Nature Reserve, marking the beginning of this new chapter in wildlife conservation cooperation
Details of the Translocation
Botswana will symbolically donate eight cheetahs to India
The cheetahs originate from the Ghanzi region (located in the Kalahari desert)
Process:
The cheetahs were released into a quarantine facility at the Mokolodi Nature Reserve ( 10 km south of Gaborone)
They are expected to reach India in a few months after undertaking these quarantine procedures
Significance and Project Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus):
This translocation is part of 'Project Cheetah which is a unique wildlife conservation initiative of the Government of India
In September 2022, eight cheetahs were brought from Namibia and released into Kuno National Park
In February 2023, 12 more cheetahs were imported from South Africa
Rationale for reintroduction:
Restoration of lost ecological function à as a top predator
Revival of grassland and savanna habitats
Habitat restoration and climate mitigation benefits
Selection of Reintroduction Sites
Kuno National Park à world’s first intercontinental wild-to-wild large carnivore translocation
Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary à will become an integral part of the bi-state (MP–Rajasthan) cheetah metapopulation in next 10-15 years.
Current Status:
Three years into the programme, India now has 27 cheetahs (including 16 born on Indian soil)
24 cheetahs are at Kuno National Park and three are at the Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh
Since the project began, 19 cheetahs (nine imported adults and 10 cubs) have died, while 26 cubs have been born in Kuno.