Why in news?
The Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh has announced that Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary, recently renamed Veerangana Durgawati Tiger Reserve, will become the third habitat for cheetahs in the state. Cheetahs were earlier introduced to Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary under Project Cheetah.
Background
Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary lies on the upper Vindhyan plateau in central Madhya Pradesh, about 100 kilometres west of Jabalpur. Covering roughly 1,197 square kilometres, it is the largest wildlife sanctuary in the state. It was declared a sanctuary in 1975 and forms part of the Deccan peninsula biogeographic region. The terrain consists largely of tropical dry deciduous forests dominated by teak, interspersed with grasslands and marshes. The area functions as a corridor linking Panna and Satpura Tiger Reserves and indirectly connects Bandhavgarh via the Rani Durgawati Wildlife Sanctuary. About three‑quarters of the sanctuary drains into the Yamuna basin and the rest into the Narmada basin through rivers such as the Kopra, Bamner and Bearma.
Flora and fauna
- Vegetation: The sanctuary’s forests feature teak, saja, dhaora, bhirra, ber, bel, mahua, tendu, gunja and amla among other species.
- Mammals: Residents include tigers, leopards, sloth bears, Indian wolves, wild dogs (dholes), blue bulls (nilgai), chinkara (Indian gazelle), spotted deer and sambar deer.
- Birdlife: Over 150 bird species have been recorded, with raptors like white‑rumped vultures and storks as well as hoopoes, kingfishers and bee‑eaters. Migratory birds visit during the winter.
Cheetah reintroduction
- Third cheetah habitat: After introducing African cheetahs in Kuno National Park in 2022 and Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary in 2024, authorities will now translocate 8–9 cheetahs to Nauradehi. Quarantine pens and a soft‑release enclosure are being constructed.
- Project Cheetah: This initiative aims to restore a species that became extinct in India in 1952. Sites are chosen based on prey availability, minimal human disturbance and connectivity to form a metapopulation.
- Village relocation: To minimise conflict and create inviolate spaces, village relocation is underway. Dozens of villages have already been resettled from the core area and more are planned.
Why it matters
- Species revival: Bringing cheetahs to Nauradehi will add another population to India’s fledgling cheetah metapopulation, improving genetic diversity and resilience.
- Biodiversity boost: The presence of an apex grassland predator can help restore ecological balance in open habitats and attract tourism, benefiting local economies.
- Conservation corridor: Nauradehi’s location between tiger reserves enhances landscape connectivity, supporting the movement of large mammals and maintaining gene flow.
Source: Deccan Chronicle · Free Press Journal · Madhya Pradesh Tourism