new study expresses concern over translocation of African cheetahs

Neither ecologically sustainable nor ethical’: new study expresses concern over translocation of African cheetahs

अफ्रीकी चीता (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus) दुनिया की सबसे तेज़ भूमि पर दौड़ने वाली बिल्ली प्रजाति है। यह IUCN की रेड लिस्ट में Vulnerable (संकटग्रस्त) श्रेणी में सूचीबद्ध है। भारत में ‘Project Cheetah’ के तहत इसे नामीबिया और दक्षिण अफ्रीका से लाकर कुनो नेशनल पार्क (मध्य प्रदेश) में बसाने का प्रयास किया जा रहा है।

मुख्य विशेषताएँ (UPSC के लिए महत्वपूर्ण बिंदु)

1. वैज्ञानिक नाम – Acinonyx jubatus jubatus

2. गति – यह 100-120 किमी/घंटा की गति से दौड़ सकता है।

3. आवास क्षेत्र – अफ्रीका के सवाना और घास के मैदान।

4. खतरे – आवास क्षरण, शिकार, मानव-वन्यजीव संघर्ष।

5. संरक्षण स्थिति –

• CITES अपेंडिक्स I में सूचीबद्ध (अंतर्राष्ट्रीय व्यापार प्रतिबंधित)।

• IUCN Red List में Vulnerable श्रेणी में।

6. भारत में चीता पुनर्स्थापन योजना –

• 1970s में भारत में चीता विलुप्त हो गया।

• 2022 में Project Cheetah के तहत 8 चीते नामीबिया से लाए गए।

• 2023 में दक्षिण अफ्रीका से 12 और चीते लाए गए।

UPSC के लिए प्रासंगिक पहलू

• जैव विविधता संरक्षण और वन्यजीव पुनर्स्थापन नीति में इसका महत्व।

• भारत में चीता पुनर्स्थापन से इकोटूरिज्म और पर्यावरणीय संतुलन को बढ़ावा।

• Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 के तहत संरक्षित क्षेत्रों का महत्त्व।

अगर आपको किसी विशेष पहलू पर अधिक जानकारी चाहिए तो बता सकते हैं!

The new study by the Centre for Wildlife Studies (CWS)

which examines the ethical, ecological and welfare challenges associated with the translocation of African cheetahs to India, 

it has expressed concern over the translocation of the animals and also raised questions about its scientific merit and long-term viability.

Name of  study

Delineating the environmental justice implications of an experimental cheetah introduction project in India’, was published in Frontiers in Conservation Science.

According to the CWS, the study highlights that the translocation of African cheetahs to India 

has resulted in significant challenges, with a mortality rate of 40%-50% in the first phase of the project, far below the expected survival rate of 85%.

Under Project Cheetah, so far 20 African cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus), eight from Namibia in September 2022 and 12 from South Africa in February 2023, were introduced into the Kuno National Park (KNP) in Madhya Pradesh.

The CWS also said that the cheetahs involved in the project have experienced 

• high levels of stress, 
• 
  
• with over 90 chemical immobilisations 
• 
  
• and regular veterinary interventions,
• 
  
•  raising concerns about their physical and mental health.

populations are already under pressure

It also said that African cheetah populations are already under pressure, with only around 6,500 mature individuals remaining in the wild.

Planning 

“With an initial mortality rate of 40%–50% in these cheetahs, currently all individuals are being kept in captivity in India, 

with plans to import 12 individuals annually till a viable population is established. 

The researchers of this paper argue that the project’s reliance on a continuous supply of cheetahs from southern Africa, is neither ecologically sustainable nor ethical,” it said.

Inclusive approach

a more justice-informed approach 

would ensure that conservation decisions are based on inclusive, participatory processes, which take into account the diverse values people place on nature.

“Our current approach 

risks overlooking diverse knowledge systems and values, the nuanced ways in which people interact with nature, their perceptions of wildlife, and importantly, their consent to bear the consequences of such initiatives,” said Mr. Joshi. 

“Conservation efforts should focus more on their ability to maintain sustainable shared spaces between humans and wildlife, rather than causing further division and distress,” he added.

Source the hindu