Kuno National Park is not yet ready for Cheetahs

Abstract

Ecology is a science, and the ecosystem runs on a set of principles; there is no denying this. The last Indian Cheetah was shot in 1952 in its habitat, which was more open with grassland and shrubs in the arid and sub-arid ecosystem. Over time the habitat was altered, and the last Cheetah is reported to take refuge in the wooded Sal (Shorea robusta) forest of the then Madhya Pradesh. The situation has worsened since then; let us admit it. Introducing Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) from Namibia is a decision taken in haste without considering its guild ecology. This action will not only distract our attention from the deteriorating forest ecosystem of the country but also from other pressing and critical conservation priorities. Five females and three males were relocated to Kuno National Park (KNP) on 17th September 2022. It was decided earlier that Asiatic lions would be relocated to KNP. Still, it was shelved, and the introduction of Cheetahs was put on a fast track despite the Supreme Court’s earlier decision against the introduction of Cheetahs in KNP. The Supreme Court (SC) stated in its order way back in 2013 that “The decision taken by MoEF (Ministry of Environment and Forest) for introduction of African Cheetahs first to Kuno and then Asiatic lion, is arbitrary, an illegal and clear violation of the statutory requirements provided under the Wildlife Protection Act. The order of MoEF to introduce African Cheetahs into Kuno cannot stand in the eye of the law, and the same is quashed”. A survey was conducted to relocate Cheetahs, and out of the three locations, KNP was chosen; the other two were: Shahgarh Landscape in Jaisalmer and Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh. The Supreme Court, in its order in 2020, permitted Cheetah introduction on an experimental basis. The stated objective of the ministry of environment and forest in this project is: “Establish viable Cheetah meta-population in India that allows the Cheetah to perform its functional role as a top predator and provides space for the expansion of the Cheetah within its historical range, thereby contributing to its global conservation efforts”. However, the stated goal will not be able to fulfill its desired purpose.