Why in news?
Madhya Pradesh has launched a cheetah mating programme at Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary to establish a second viable population outside Kuno National Park. The programme aims to build a self‑sustaining cheetah population in central India.
About the sanctuary
Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary lies along the northern border of Mandsaur and Neemuch districts, adjoining Rajasthan. Notified in 1974 and expanded in 1983, it covers about 369 sq km of mixed deciduous forest bisected by the Chambal River. The sanctuary’s vegetation includes khair, salai, kardhai, tendu and palash. Fauna ranges from chinkara, sambar and nilgai to leopards, wild dogs, otters and mugger crocodiles. The area also hosts cultural sites like the Chaturbhujnath temple, Hinglajgarh Fort and prehistoric rock art.
The cheetah mating programme
- Objective: To pair female cheetahs relocated from Africa with the male coalition already acclimatised to Gandhi Sagar, thereby reducing dependence on Kuno National Park.
- Pre‑mating arrangements: Males and females are kept in separate enclosures for behavioural observation. Seventeen leopards were relocated to minimise predation risk.
- Care and monitoring: Prey availability is supplemented, and feed of 15–20 kg is provided every 3–4 days during gestation. Veterinary teams conduct bi‑weekly pregnancy checks and monitor den sites remotely.
Significance
By diversifying cheetah habitats, India seeks to prevent the concentration of the entire population in one park. The programme supports the broader goal of restoring grassland ecosystems and reviving the cheetah’s ecological role after its extinction in India in the mid‑20th century. A successful second site will also attract tourism and generate local employment, but strict monitoring and community engagement are essential to avoid human–wildlife conflicts.