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Project Cheetah adds third habitat in Madhya Pradesh tiger reserve

Source:The Hindu ↗

Why It Matters

Crucial for MPPSC aspirants tracking major environmental developments, wildlife sanctuaries, and state-specific conservation milestones in Madhya Pradesh.

Summary

Two cheetahs have been successfully released into a tiger reserve in Madhya Pradesh, establishing it as their third habitat in the state under the Project Cheetah initiative.

Key Points

  • Two cheetahs have been released into a new tiger reserve habitat in Madhya Pradesh, marking their third habitat expansion in the state.
  • This move is part of the ongoing Project Cheetah initiative to establish multiple free-ranging populations of cheetahs in India.
  • Madhya Pradesh continues to play a central role in wildlife conservation, housing multiple habitats for the reintroduced African cheetahs.

Important Terms

National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)

A statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change established in 2006 under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 to manage tiger reserves and oversee Project Tiger and Project Cheetah in India.

UPSC context

MPPSC Paper III (Environment and Biodiversity). Tests institutional frameworks, statutory bodies, and wildlife management authorities in India.

Source
Action Plan for Introduction of Cheetah in India

A strategic roadmap formulated by the Ministry of Environment and NTCA to reintroduce the extinct Asiatic cheetah into India, detailing site selection, translocation protocols, and habitat management.

UPSC context

MPPSC Paper III (Environment, Wildlife Conservation). Tests specific policy frameworks and species reintroduction strategies.

Source
Madhya Pradesh Forest Department

The state government body responsible for implementing forest policies, managing wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, and executing conservation initiatives like Project Cheetah across Madhya Pradesh.

UPSC context

MPPSC Paper I and III (MP Geography, State Administration, and Biodiversity). Tests state-level environmental implementation machinery.

Source

Prelims Trap

Kuno National Park is the sole and exclusive habitat for cheetah reintroduction in Madhya Pradesh.

Aspirants often assume Kuno National Park is the only cheetah habitat in Madhya Pradesh, forgetting new habitat expansions like Gandhi Sagar or other designated reserves.

Static Concepts Connected

Madhya Pradesh Environment and Wildlife Conservation

What are the key statutory bodies and provisions governing Project Cheetah in India?

  • NTCA Oversight: Apex Body: Managed by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) along with Madhya Pradesh Forest Department and Wildlife Institute of India (WII).
  • Legal Protection: Legal Status: Cheetahs are reintroduced under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (listed under Schedule I for highest protection).

Cross-Topic Patterns

  • Project Cheetah and Wildlife Protection Act

    Project Cheetah execution demands understanding NTCA statutory powers, interstate translocation frameworks, and wildlife corridor protection under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972.

Project Cheetah habitat expansion + MP national parks geography likely to feature in MPPSC Prelims matching/statement questions.

Linked PYQs · 2

Linked PYQs · 2

  • 2023MPPSC_PRELIMSGS1

    Which type of forests are not found in Madhya Pradesh ?

  • 2022MPPSC_PRELIMSGS1

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