African Cheetahs to be introduced in India

Recently, the Supreme Court lifted the seven-year stay on a proposal for the introduction of African cheetahs from Namibia into the Indian habitat on an experimental basis.

Court’s ruling:

• The Apex Court ordered to have a proper survey on the locations where the African cheetah can be introduced, till now they will be bought on an experimental basis.
• The CJI set up a three-member panel comprises former Wildlife India Director Ranjit Singh, Wildlife India DG Dhananjay Mohan and the Wildlife DIG in the Ministry of Environment and Forests to guide the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in taking a decision on the issue.
• Every effort should be taken to ensure that they adapt to the Indian conditions. 
• The action of the introduction of the animal would be left to the NTCA’s discretion. 

Background:

• The NTCA had first filed a plea in 2010 requesting permission to introduce African Cheetahs from Namibia as the animal has become extinct in India. 
• The Supreme Court declined the plea citing the reason that animals are the foreign species and introduction of these causing damage to the ecosystem.
• On 22 February 2019, the NTCA had told the apex court that African Cheetahs to be translocated to India from Namibia will be kept at the Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh.
• The Apex court has now allowed the re-introduction of foreign Cheetahs into the Palpur Kuno sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh on an experimental basis. In 1952, the Asiatic Cheetah was officially declared extinct from India.

Reason for introduction in India:

• The reintroduction of large carnivores is a strategy to conserve threatened species and restore ecosystem functions.
• The cheetah is the only large carnivore that has been extirpated, mainly by over-hunting in India in historical times. 
• India now has the economic ability to consider restoring its lost natural heritage for ethical as well as ecological reasons.

About African cheetah:

• IUCN status- They are vulnerable under the IUCN Red List.
• Distribution- Around 6,500-7,000 African cheetahs present in the wild.
• Characteristics- They are bigger in size as compared to Asiatic Cheetah.

Asiatic cheetahs in India:

• IUCN status- The Asiatic cheetah is classified as a “critically endangered” species by the IUCN Red List.
• Distribution- They are only 40-50 and found only in Iran.
• Characteristics- Smaller and paler than the African cheetah. Has more fur, a smaller head and a longer neck. Usually, they have red eyes and they have a more cat-like appearance.
• Extinction in India- In 1947, Maharaja Ramanuj Pratap Singh of Deoghar of Koriya, Chhattisgarh shot over 1,150 tigers and reportedly killed the last known Asiatic cheetah in India.

Source- IE