Published in Dwarka Express on 27.1.2024

The new year has brought a cheer when the Namibian cheetah named Jwala gave birth to 3 cubs in Kuno national park, Madhya Pradesh recently. This is her second delivery. During March 2023, Jwala gave birth to 4 cubs in Indian soil, out of which only one survived. For the first time, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 17^th Sep 2022, his birthday released 8 cheetahs from Namibia while another lot of 12 were brought from South Africa subsequently. Readers may remember that out of the 20 cheetahs were brought from South Africa and Namibia only 13 survived. Only one cub survived from the first delivery of Jwala. The last one-year period posed challenges to the fastest animals. Lot of controversies brewed about the death of cheetahs continuously. Radio collaring, extreme heat and kidney failure were some of the prominent reasons quoted by various sources on a few occasions. Some were of the view that the relocation project failed. However, at present, reportedly there are 21 cheetahs in India.

It now appears that the conservation efforts in Kuno forests have yielded a reasonably good result, which needs appreciation. As everyone knows, cheetah is the fastest animal and is said to attain 110 km. speed, which is recorded as the fastest one in the cat family. Many were having a belief that cheetahs were native to India. But according to S H Prater in the book of Indian animals, cheetahs were predominantly present in African forests. Slowly it invaded India like the Asiatic lions, through the north-western passes. It then established itself in the plains and lower hills of northern and central India. Then it straggled southwards as far as the Deccan and Mysore. The last authentic record of the cheetah in India is in 1948 in MP according to Prater.

As this fastest animal has to run long distance, there is no wonder that the habitat destruction resulted in reduced number to become extinct in India. The difference between tiger and cheetah lies in the hunting method. While tigers mostly hide, leap and bounce on its prey, cheetah stalks its prey, runs after it for a long distance and catches it. This particular behaviour is an ample indication to the dire need of forest lands. Habitat destruction has taken a heavy toll in India. The intrusion of man into its territory has become a curse on valuable wildlife. We are losing many species all over the world and India is not an exemption. But India also should not forget that it is one of the world’s biggest biodiversity hotspots and our pride rests on preserving it.

The scientific as well as environmental community is divided on the issue of translocation of the cheetah in India. When protagonists laud the translocation, the antagonists are critical from the suitability of habitat. The erstwhile rulers were fond of hunting and killing the big cats, and obviously the environmental awareness among people were minimal. Another concern is the amendments being brought to Forest Conservation Act, diluting the lofty ideals of the scientific spirits. Thirdly development sans sustainability has stepped in already. If the policy makers do not consider the ethical and ecological aspects of the country, a day will emerge when there won’t be animals on ground. Only zoos will exhibit the animals behind bars.