Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | Environment
Why in News?
Madhya Pradesh will release two cheetahs, Tholo and CCB-3, from Kuno National Park (KNP) into Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve (VDTR).
Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve
- It will be the 3rd cheetah habitat in Madhya Pradesh, after:
- Kuno National Park
- Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary
- Significance – It represents the first planned attempt in India to enable free-ranging cheetahs to coexist with an established tiger population.
Rationale for Selecting VDTR as a Cheetah Habitat
- Area – Approximately 2,339 square kilometers, providing an extensive landscape.
- The region supports a diverse assemblage of prey species and carnivores.
- Chital
- Sambar
- Nilgai
- Leopards
- Tigers
- Bears
- Cheetahs typically inhabit open grasslands, whereas tigers primarily utilize denser forested areas.
- This habitat differentiation may reduce direct interspecific competition.
- Historical records indicate that Asiatic cheetahs, tigers, and leopards previously coexisted within the Indian subcontinent.
Cheetah and Tiger Coexistence
- Key Ecological Consideration
- The tiger is a dominant apex predator and is capable of killing or displacing cheetahs.
- The cheetah relies primarily on speed and typically avoids direct confrontation.
- Cheetahs and tigers exhibit partially distinct habitat and prey preferences.
- Successful coexistence is contingent upon several ecological factors:
- Availability of an adequate prey base
- Presence of sufficiently large habitats
- Implementation of habitat restoration initiatives
- Provision of spatial separation to facilitate avoidance behaviors
- Ongoing monitoring of interspecific predator interactions
It is important to note that coexistence does not imply the absence of competition or predation.
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Project Cheetah
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Cheetah Reintroduction in India
- Project Cheetah was launched at Kuno National Park on 17 September 2022.
- African cheetahs were translocated from the following countries:
- Namibia
- South Africa
- Botswana
- Current Cheetah Population
- The cheetah population in India has reached 60 individuals.
- Of these, 41 cheetahs were born in India.
Note – Project Cheetah involves the African cheetah, whereas the Asiatic cheetah was historically present in India.
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Reference
DD India | Third home for Cheetahs
