[Answered] Analyse the desirability of the ‘Action Plan for Introduction of Cheetah in India’. Also, highlight the factors responsible for the extinction of Cheetahs in India.

Cheetah is the only top carnivore that got completely extinct from India in 1952, mainly due to over-hunting and habitat loss. The ‘Action Plan for Introduction of Cheetah in India’ is step towards reintroduction of Cheetahs in India. It is expected to be beneficial for the overall health of the ecosystem in India.

What were the factors responsible for the extinction of Cheetahs?

1. Animal-human conflict: Due to rapid urbanization and loss of habitat results in shrinking of space, food, etc., and forces wild animals to move out of habitat in search of food, water or shelter. These two add the non-availability of prey like black-buck, hare etc.
2. Bounty killings: During colonial period, the consistent and widespread capture of cheetahs from the wild (both male and female) over centuries has reduced the levels of genetic heterogeneity resulting in high infant mortality in the wild, its inability to breed in captivity.
3. ‘Sport’ Hunting: Hunting large carnivores is always prevalent in medieval era.
4. Climate change. Drought, floods, forest fires etc.

What was the need of the ‘Action Plan for Introduction of Cheetah in India’:

• The strategy of reintroductions of top carnivores has increasingly been recognized as a method to conserve endangered species and restore ecosystem functions.
• Cheetah is a charismatic flagship and umbrella species, the conservation of the cheetah can revive grasslands and its biomes and habitat, much like Project Tiger.
• Less probability of Man-Animal Conflict: It is also observed that among large carnivores, conflict with human interests is lowest for Cheetahs. They are not a threat to humans and do not easily attack large livestocks.
• Economic Relevance: Reintroduction of a flagship species like Cheetah would attract a significant amount of tourism to the cheetah range states.

What are the concerns associated with Cheetah reintroduction in India?

Genetic Differences: Many experts have expressed concerns over reintroduction of African Cheetahs instead of Asiatic cheetahs.

Disease Transmission to other species: There are very few diseases unique and specific to predators. However, transmission of these to the endemic tiger population is a cause for concern.

Inter Species Competition: It may have to compete with other predators of the region like leopards and Tigers.

India is home to almost all big members of cat family except cheetah. Introduction of cheetah will increase the diversity of top carnivore and thus stabilizes the ecosystem. In achieving these, ‘Project Cheetah’ is a positive step.