Gandhi Sagar to welcome cheetahs by November end

 

 

As the Government has decided to shift a group of cheetahs to Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Mandsaur, officials have been given target to complete the preparation by November first week. Forest officials said that Kuno has space to accommodate 21 cheetahs while 20 cheetahs were introduced. After that four cubs were born and then three cubs and three mature cheetah died. They said that number of cheetahs will be increasing at Kuno in future so it is important to spread the species at a few more places within State.

Earlier, it was suggested to shift a group of cheetahs at Mukundara National Park in neighbouring Rajasthan but wildlife experts rejected the proposal citing example of acute shortage of prey base. Experts said that there is shortage of prey-base due to which Mukundara Park would be more unsecure for the African cheetah.

Forest officials said that cheetahs are now identity of Madhya Pradesh and they want to keep them surviving and breeding in state jungle. At present there is no secure option for translocation of cheetahs. In tiger action plan, condition of ‘prey base shortage’ is also mentioned for the Mukundara. Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Mandsaur is close to Mukundara. Officials are working to translocate herbivore in bulk so that shortage of prey-base can be eradicated from Gandhi Sagar. However, there is no fencing due to which cheetah can stray out in residential villages. Forest officials said that earlier it was planned to keep to 14 or 15 cheetahs at Kuno and shift around five cheetahs

to other place. After recent meeting with higher authorities and minister, officials directed to prepare Gandhi Sagar for cheetah at earliest. Forest officials said that they have given target to complete fencing, grassland, etc work around the sanctuary by November but they are making all efforts to complete the task by October. Total 50 per cent work has been already done at Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary. A large population of herbivore, including swamp deer, spotted deer, etc have been released into jungle to prepare the habitat.