Why in NEWS?
An 8-year-old Namibian female cheetah named Nabha, part of Project Cheetah, died due to injuries from a suspected hunting attempt at Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh.
Key Terms / Concepts
| Term | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Project Cheetah | India’s initiative to reintroduce cheetahs (declared extinct in 1952) for ecological balance. |
| Translocation | Moving wild animals from one location to another for conservation. |
| Kuno National Park | A protected area in Madhya Pradesh selected for cheetah reintroduction due to suitable habitat. |
| NTCA | National Tiger Conservation Authority, coordinating Project Cheetah. |
About Project Cheetah
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Launch Year | 2022 |
| Purpose | Reintroduce cheetahs to India as part of global conservation. |
| Status of Cheetahs in India | Declared extinct in 1952. |
| Phase 1 | Cheetahs brought from Namibia (2022) and South Africa (2023) to Kuno. |
| Phase 2 | India exploring cheetah imports from Kenya (due to similar habitat). |
| Key Locations | Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary (M.P.). |
| Implementing Agencies | NTCA, Madhya Pradesh Forest Department, Wildlife Institute of India (WII). |
In a nutshell
Mnemonic: “N-K-K-G” → Namibia, Kenya, Kuno, Gandhi Sagar
Remember key translocation sources and sites for cheetah reintroduction.
Prelims Practice Questions
- Which of the following is NOT involved in implementing Project Cheetah?
A. NTCA
B. WII
C. NITI Aayog
D. Madhya Pradesh Forest Department - In which year were cheetahs declared extinct in India?
A. 1947
B. 1952
C. 1972
D. 1984 - What is the primary reason Kenya is being considered in Phase-2 of Project Cheetah?
A. Kenya has a surplus cheetah population
B. Kenya’s climate is similar to India
C. Kenya’s habitat matches Indian grasslands
D. Kenya is closer than South Africa
Answers – Prelims
| Ques | Ans | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | NITI Aayog is not part of Project Cheetah implementation. |
| 2 | B | Cheetahs were declared extinct in 1952. |
| 3 | C | Kenya has habitat similar to Kuno and Indian grasslands. |
