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Madhya Pradesh gets third cheetah habitat in tiger reserve

Source:The Hindu ↗

Why It Matters

Highly relevant for MPPSC State Service Prelims questions concerning Madhya Pradesh geography, national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and current environmental updates regarding Project Cheetah.

Summary

Two cheetahs have been released into a tiger reserve in Madhya Pradesh, marking the establishment of their third habitat in the State as part of the ongoing Project Cheetah initiative. This expansion follows earlier introductions in Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary, highlighting M.P.'s critical role in wildlife conservation and species reintroduction.

Key Points

  • Two cheetahs were released into a tiger reserve (marking a new or expanded habitat beyond Kuno and Gandhi Sagar) in Madhya Pradesh, establishing their third habitat in the State.
  • Madhya Pradesh continues to be the pioneer state for Project Cheetah, hosting multiple habitats to facilitate the free-ranging establishment of the African cheetahs in India.
  • The expansion aims to reduce population pressure on Kuno National Park and provide diverse landscapes for the successful acclimatization and breeding of cheetahs.

Important Terms

Action Plan for Introduction of Cheetah in India

The apex blueprint guiding the reintroduction of cheetahs in India, outlining site selection, translocation protocols, and habitat management under Project Cheetah.

UPSC context

Mains Paper III (Environment): Tests knowledge of wildlife conservation strategies, species reintroduction plans, and conservation frameworks.

Source
National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)

Statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change that oversees Project Cheetah and tiger conservation across India.

UPSC context

Prelims/Mains Paper III: Tests statutory environmental bodies, governance, and wildlife protection mechanisms in India.

Source
Madhya Pradesh Forest Department

The state government body responsible for implementing forest policies, managing wildlife sanctuaries, and executing wildlife reintroduction projects like Project Cheetah within Madhya Pradesh.

UPSC context

MPPSC Paper III (Environment & Biodiversity): Tests state-specific administrative bodies and implementation of wildlife conservation initiatives.

Source

Static Concepts Connected

Environment and Ecology MP Wildlife

What are the key wildlife reserves and sanctuaries of Madhya Pradesh designated under Project Cheetah?

  • Kuno National Park: First designated site for the reintroduction of African cheetahs in India under the action plan.
  • Veerangana Durgavati TR: Spans Sagar, Damoh, and Narsinghpur districts; serves as the third designated cheetah habitat and explores tiger coexistence.
  • Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary: Located in the Chambal region (Mandsaur/Neemuch districts), acting as the second major home and reintroduction site for cheetahs in M.P.

Cross-Topic Patterns

  • Project Cheetah + Human-Wildlife Conflict Mitigation

    Project Cheetah requires balancing large carnivore reintroductions with local pastoralist livelihoods, connecting wildlife conservation to human-wildlife conflict mitigation in Madhya Pradesh.

  • Tiger Reserves + District Geography in MP

    The designation of Veerangana Durgavati as a cheetah habitat links wildlife corridors with district-level administrative planning across Sagar, Damoh, and Narsinghpur.

Expect match-the-following questions linking M.P. tiger reserves/sanctuaries (VDTR, Kuno, Gandhi Sagar) with their specific districts or unique ecological features.

Linked PYQs · 1

Linked PYQs · 1

  • 2022MPPSC_PRELIMSGS1

    Which of the following National Parks is the first in India to officially introduce a mascot named "Bhoorsingh the Barasingha"?