BHOPAL: There is disappointment among wildlife lovers of Madhya Pradesh after the death of six Cheetahs, including three grown-ups and three cubs. The pessimists are even saying that the project Cheetah will not be successful and some experts have even predicted that there could be even nore fatalities in the months to come.
It is not only forest officials, conservationists and politicians who are worried at the deaths of three cheetahs and an equal number of cubs at the Kuno National Park. Villagers residing near the reserve forest are equally upset because they feel that if the Cheetah reintroduction project fails, then their area won’t become a wildlife tourist spot. After the deaths of the cheetahs, the locals conducted pujas and havans so that the remaining cheetahs prosper and remain safe.
Project Cheetah staff to be sent on study tour
Amidst all this Union Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav came to Bhopal on Monday. He has said that officers and employees involved in Cheetah conservation and management will be selected and sent for study tour to Namibia / South Africa under Cheetah Project.
Yadav said all possible cooperation including financial resources will be provided by the Central Government for the protection, conservation, promotion of cheetahs and for the proposed Cheetah Protection Force. Union Minister Yadav was discussing with Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Forest Minister Dr. Vijay Shah and senior officials of the state government in a high-level meeting at Samatva Bhawan, Chief Minister’s residence.
Urging for the arrangement of additional forest guards and foresters for Kuno National Park, Union Minister Yadav said that both infrastructure and human resources are necessary. He said presently 7 cheetahs are living in open forest area and 10 cheetahs are living in adaptation enclosures in Kuno National Park.
Cheetahs take time to adjust to the new environment
Union Minister Yadav has said today that you should not worry. When cheetahs come from other areas, they take time to adjust to the new environment.
Chief Minister Shivraj said that he was very worried about the untimely death of 3 cheetah cubs. The government is making all out efforts for proper care of cheetahs. It is true that the survival rate of cheetah cubs all over the world is low, but there will be no shortfall in our efforts. Human beings and wild animals remain on this earth, it is necessary for the balance of the nature.
Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary is being prepared as an alternative habitat
Yadav said Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary is also being prepared as an alternative habitat for cheetahs by coming November. Even in Kuno, there are fewer cheetahs than the park's carrying capacity. The staff who look after the cheetahs are also hardworking. The project will definitely be successful.
Yadav to visit Kuno on June 6
Yadav said Madhya Pradesh government is seriously working for the implementation of the project. The services of foreign experts are being provided continuously in the project. The Union Minister said that he would visit the Kuno National Park on June 6 to take stock of the arrangements.
On this occasion Chief Minister Chouhan said that the entire staff associated with the Cheetah project is working with dedication. The progress of the project is satisfactory. Chouhan instructed that necessary arrangements should be completed on a war footing in the Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary for alternative habitat for cheetahs.
Director General of Forests of the Government of India C P Goyal, Madhya Pradesh’s Additional Chief Secretary Forest J N Kansotia, Member Secretary, National Tiger Conservation Authority, New Delhi Dr. SP Yadav, Principal Secretary Tourism and Culture Sheo Shekhar Shukla, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Wildlife JS Chauhan, Additional Secretary Forest Department Ashok Kumar and other officers were present.
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