Experts raise question over space for cheetahs in Kuno Park

 

 

After death of two cheetahs at Kuno National Park, a debate triggered among wildlife experts and enthusiasts over space availability for the cat in the park. While some wildlife experts proposed to shift a bunch of cheetahs in Rajasthan’s Mukundara Tiger Hills Reserve, others demanded to review the cheetah project. Centre has also tightened the noose around forest officials and directed to take earliest action to secure cheetah. Citing example of space crunch, some senior officials of the Forest Department are demanding to shift cheetah to Mukundara. Experts said that it would be significant step to shift the cheetah for success of this project and their survival. Wildlife experts from Namibia and South Africa have also raised objection over capacity of Kuno National Park in terms of cheetah.

In a survey jointly conducted by National Tiger Conservation Authority of India (NTCA) and African wildlife team, it has been found that Mukundara Hills National Park is best suitable place for the cat. In a recent meeting with Cheetah Task Force, officials discussed over the option of Mukundara Hills. A meeting was also conducted by NTCA in New Delhi where proposal to shift the cheetah in Rajasthan was placed but no decision could be taken by officials yet. Officials of Mukundara Hills Reserve said that they have done all preparation to welcome the cat.

According to wildlife experts, a cheetah require 100 sqkm of area in open jungle. Officials said that 20 cheetahs have been put in 750 sqkm of area together which is wrong step. They said this space crunch promotes territorial fight and food crux in the park.

Experts said that after breeding process, population of cheetah will be increasing and they will eat each other in lack of space. Concerned over the space crunch issues, forest officers are demanding to shift few cheetah in Mukundara Reserve. Mukundara Hill is spread over 760 sqkm of area in four districts including Kota, Jhalwada, Bundi and Chittorgarh. This area includes 417 sqkm of core and 342 sqkm buffer zone. 82 sqkm of area is fenced with wire and there are sufficient food for cheetah like cheetal, chinkara, sambhar, wild boar, etc. Kuno park was earlier developed for the Asiatic Lion. Barasingha, Nilgay and Sambhar were released in the park. Cheetah cannot kill these animals without group. Black bug, chinkara, rabbit and other few animals are still being provided in the park.