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Cheetahs in India
Context:
- Recently twelve Cheetahs from South Africa were successfully translocated to Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park.
Introduction:
- Cheetah reintroduction in India involves the attempt to introduce and sustain a small population of Southeast African cheetahs in India more than 70 years after India’s native subspecies, the Asiatic cheetah became extinct.
- The Asiatic subspecies is now found only in Iran in critically endangered numbers.
- Since September 2022, India has translocated eight African cheetahs from Namibia and 12 from South Africa.
- Project Cheetah aims to bring back 50 cheetahs in various National Parks over five years.
Impact on India’s Grasslands:
- Cheetahs, as apex predators, play an important role in maintaining the balance of grassland ecosystems.
- Grasslands cover a significant portion of India’s land area and provide essential ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, soil conservation, and water regulation.
- However, they are under threat from overgrazing, habitat loss, and fragmentation. This has led to the degradation of grassland ecosystems and a decline in the population of many grassland species.
- The reintroduction of cheetahs could help restore the ecological balance of India’s grasslands. Cheetahs prey on herbivores, such as gazelles and antelopes, which helps control their population and prevent overgrazing. This, in turn, promotes the growth of vegetation and helps maintain the biodiversity of the grasslands.
- Additionally, the presence of cheetahs could attract tourists, which could provide economic benefits to local communities and incentivize conservation efforts.
- Overall, the reintroduction of cheetahs to India has the potential to save the country’s grasslands and promote ecological sustainability. It is a complex and long-term project that requires careful planning and implementation, but it could have significant benefits for the environment, the economy, and local communities.
Success stories:
- The Project Tiger initiative, launched in 1973, has been a great success in the conservation and protection of tigers and their habitats in India. At present, India has 53 reserves making up 2.3% of the country’s geographical area.
- Tiger reserves are also important for the development of larger ecosystems. These reserves provide a safe haven for a variety of flora and fauna, many of which are threatened or endangered.
- By conserving and protecting tiger habitats, Project Tiger has contributed to the conservation of many other species as well.
- Beavers were introduced into many parts of North America during the 20th century, and they have had a positive impact on the ecosystems they inhabit. Beavers create dams and ponds, which provide habitat for a wide range of aquatic and terrestrial species, including fish, amphibians, birds, and mammals.
- The beaver ponds also help to maintain water quality by trapping sediment and pollutants, and they can increase the productivity of the surrounding land by providing additional water for irrigation.