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Project Cheetah Milestone and Species Reintroduction Status

Source:The Hindu ↗

हे का महत्त्वाचे आहे

Project Cheetah represents a pioneering global experiment in inter-continental carnivore translocation and species recovery, making its progress critical for biodiversity conservation policies and wildlife management in India.

सारांश

As Project Cheetah completes its four-year milestone, India's big cat population has grown to 52 individuals, largely centered around Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh, underlining significant strides in the inter-continental reintroduction and conservation of the species.

मुख्य मुद्दे

  • Project Cheetah completed four years, with the total cheetah population in India rising to 52.
  • The milestone highlights progress in India's ambitious inter-continental wildlife reintroduction initiative.
  • Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh serves as the primary habitat and focal point for the cheetah reintroduction efforts.

महत्त्वाच्या संज्ञा

Project Cheetah

India's ambitious inter-continental wildlife reintroduction initiative launched in 2022 to restore the extinct cheetah population, bringing African cheetahs primarily to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh.

UPSC context

UPSC Prelims/Mains (GS Paper III): Important species reintroduction projects, biodiversity conservation, and wildlife management in India.

Source
Kuno National Park

A protected area located in Madhya Pradesh chosen as the primary site for India's cheetah reintroduction program under Project Cheetah.

UPSC context

UPSC Prelims: National parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and geographic locations important for conservation initiatives.

Source
Wildlife Protection Act 1972

The principal legal framework in India enacted to protect wild animals, birds, and plants, organizing species into schedules to regulate hunting, poaching, and trade.

UPSC context

UPSC Prelims/Mains (GS Paper III): Statutory environmental legislations, animal welfare, and legal mechanisms for species conservation.

Source

पूर्वपरीक्षा सापळा

Project Cheetah marks the revival of India's native cheetah population through natural breeding in Kuno National Park.

Aspirants often assume cheetahs are native to Indian forests in recent history, but the last confirmed Indian cheetah was hunted in 1947, making this an inter-continental reintroduction rather than a native revival.

संबंधित स्थिर संकल्पना

Environment and Ecology Wildlife Protection

What are the key legal provisions and schedules under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972?

  • Highest Protection: Schedule I affords absolute protection with the highest penalties for offenses committed against listed endangered species.
  • Protected Areas: The Act empowers the Central and State Governments to declare sanctuaries, national parks, and conservation reserves.
  • Recent Amendments: It was amended in 2022 to align with CITES provisions and streamline species management schedules.

आंतर-विषय नमुने

  • Wildlife Reintroduction vs Statutory Protection Frameworks

    While Project Cheetah marks a historic inter-continental carnivore translocation, Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act governs its legal protection, tying wild animal reintroductions directly to stringent statutory enforcement.

Project Cheetah milestones + Kuno National Park ecology + Wildlife Protection Act Schedule I protections will be tested via assertion-reason.

संबंधित PYQ · 3

संबंधित PYQ · 3

  • 2022PrelimsGS1

    With reference to Indian laws about wildlife protection, consider the following statements : 1. Wild animals are the sole property of the government. 2. When a wild animal is declared protected, such animal is entitled for equal protection whether it is found in protected areas or outside. 3. Apprehension of a protected wild animal becoming a danger to human life is sufficient ground for its capture or killing. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • 2024PrelimsGS1

    Consider the following statements : Statement-I: The Indian Flying Fox is placed under the "vermin" category in the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. Statement-II : The Indian Flying Fox feeds on the blood of other animals. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements ?

  • 2020PrelimsGS1

    If a particular plant species is placed under Schedule VI of The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, what is the implication?