Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary (GSWS) being developed as Second home for Cheetahs | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
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Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary (GSWS) being developed as Second home for Cheetahs

Posted 18 Jun 2024

2 min read

Madhya Pradesh (MP) government has announced that it has completed the preparation for the Cheetah’s translocation to GSWS.

  • Translocation is under the Project Cheetah through which the first slots of 20 Cheetah’s were introduced in Kuno National Park (KNP) from Namibia and South Africa.

About GSWS 

  • Located along the border between MP and Rajasthan, spanning over 368.62 sq. km. 
  • River Chambal flows through the sanctuary and Gandhisagar dam lies within the sanctuary.
  • Flora and Fauna: Arjauna and Jal jamun trees along with Panther, Nilgai, Chinkara, wolf etc. 

Factors behind selecting GSWS as Cheetahs Home

  • Topography: Due to the rocky terrain and exposed sheetrock, the topsoil is shallow.
    • Topography also includes hills, plateaus, and river catchment areas.
  • Ecosystem: GSWS has savanna ecosystem comprising open grasslands interspersed with dry deciduous trees and shrubs. However, Chambal valley is evergreen.

Challenges

  • An insufficient prey base is still an issue in GSWS, much like it has been in (KNP).
  • Leopard population in GSWS will pose a threat to cheetahs, they will compete for the same prey, and possibly even clashing with each other in wild encounters. 

Project Cheetah

  • Launched in 2022
  • World’s first intercontinental large wild carnivore translocation project and is a part of the Project Tiger.
  • Aim: To reintroduce at least 50 Cheetah’s in various protect areas of the country in five years
  • Implementing agency: National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)

About Cheetah

  • World’s fastest Mammal and the only large carnivore to be extinct in India (1952)
  • Unlike other big cats (lions, tigers, leopards, and jaguars) cheetahs don’t roar.
  • Two Species of Cheetah’s exists 
    • African Cheetah (IUCN Status- Vulnerable)
    • Asiatic Cheetah (IUCN Status- Critically Endangered)
  • Tags :
  • Cheetah
  • Project cheetah
  • Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary
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