Madhya Pradesh-Rajasthan joint panel formed for coordination on cheetah project

As cheetahs from Madhya Pradesh stray into neighbouring Rajasthan, a committee of both the states has been formed to work for conservation of the felines.

In the wake of incidents of cheetahs from Madhya Pradesh straying into neighbouring Rajasthan, a joint corridor management committee of both the states has been formed to work for conservation of the felines, officials said on Tuesday.

The panel will also discuss development of suitable areas for future shifting of cheetahs from Madhya Pradesh's Kuno National Park (KNP) and Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary area and recommend measures for improvement including the pre-augmentation base, an official said in a statement.

Under the ambitious cheetah reintroduction project, eight Namibian cheetahs were released into enclosures at the KNP in Sheopur district on September 17, 2022. Later, another 12 cheetahs were brought to the park from South Africa in February 2023.

In May this year, a cheetah from the KNP strayed into Karoli district of Rajasthan and was later rescued. In December 2023, a cheetah strayed into Rajasthan’s Baran district and was later brought back to the KNP.

The official said a joint committee comprising officials from Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan has been constituted for corridor management of the cheetah project.

Also read: Cheetah deaths at KNP: Experts suggest more prominent role for experienced veterinarians in feline management

The panel will discuss and prepare a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan for a study about the development and management of corridors for the movement and conservation of cheetahs.