12 cheetahs from South Africa to arrive in India by February-end

Source: The post is based on the article “12 cheetahs from South Africa to arrive in India by February-end” published in The Hindu on 28th January 2023

What is the News?

India and South Africa have signed an agreement to translocate 12 cheetahs to India.

About Cheetah’s Reintroduction Programme

In India, the Cheetah’s population got completely wiped out in the early 1950s, mainly due to over-hunting and habitat loss. 

Under the ‘Action Plan for Reintroduction of Cheetah in India’, cheetahs will be brought from African countries to various national parks over the next few years.

How many Cheetah’s will be sent to India from South Africa?

As per agreement, 12 Cheetah’s will be translocated to India from South Africa.

The Cheetah’s will be reintroduced at the Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh, where eight such cats were brought from Namibia in 2022 under a similar agreement.

The initial batch of cheetahs from South Africa will be followed by the transport of batches of 12 annually for the next “eight to 10 years”.

What is the significance of the Reintroduction of Cheetah’s into India?

Restoring cheetah populations is considered to be a priority for India.

It will have vital and far-reaching conservation consequences which would aim to achieve a number of ecological objectives including re-establishing the function role of cheetah within their historical range in India and enhancing the livelihood options and economies of the local communities.