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Kuno National Park
Context:
- India’s cheetah reintroduction project, aimed at restoring the big cats to Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park, began with an ambitious vision.
- However, the latest annual plan on operation (APO) for cheetah management (2024-25) reveals significant challenges.
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- Over the past year, the 24 cheetahs—12 adults and 12 cubs—have remained in enclosures after three adults died from septicaemia in 2023.
- The park spent Rs 30 lakh on constructing a 5 sq km soft-release enclosure and has now allocated Rs 24 lakh for live bait, as prey availability is lower than expected.
- Habitat management remains a challenge, with Rs 177.25 lakh allocated to eradicate brushwood from 1,525 hectares of grassland, which is necessary to maintain the savanna-grassland ecosystem.
- The APO shows a 35% increase in budget for park management, with Rs 1,442.13 lakh proposed for 2024, compared to Rs 1,020.74 lakh spent in 2023.
About Kuno National Park
- Located in Madhya Pradesh, India, is a significant wildlife sanctuary that has gained attention for its conservation efforts, particularly regarding the reintroduction of cheetahs and the potential relocation of Asiatic lions.
- Establishment: Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1981 and was designated as a national park in December 2018.
- The park is part of the Khathiar-Gir dry deciduous forests ecoregion.
- Geography: The park is named after the Kuno River (one of the tributaries of Chambal River) and is characterised by its diverse landscapes, including scrub forests, grasslands, and riverine habitats.
- It is situated in the Sheopur and Morena districts of Madhya Pradesh.
- It is situated close to the Vindhyan Hills.
- Cheetah Reintroduction: Kuno National Park has been identified as a key site for reintroducing cheetahs in India.
- In September 2022, eight cheetahs were brought from Namibia as part of a broader conservation strategy to restore this species to its historical range in India.
- A second batch of cheetahs arrived in February 2023, with successful breeding reported shortly thereafter.
- Asiatic Lion Relocation: The park was also proposed as a second habitat for the Asiatic lion to reduce the population pressure on the Gir Sanctuary in Gujarat.
- Flora: The park features a variety of vegetation types, including dry deciduous forests dominated by species such as Acacia catechu, Boswellia serrata, and Diospyros melanoxylon.
- Fauna: Kuno National Park is home to diverse wildlife, including various species of deer, leopards, and now cheetahs.
- The park’s rich biodiversity is supported by its varied habitats.