India’s First Inter-State Cheetah Conservation Corridor

Source: NIE

Context: Rajasthan has agreed to join India’s first inter-state cheetah conservation corridor with Madhya Pradesh.

About India’s First Inter-State Cheetah Conservation Corridor:

• What is it?

• A wildlife corridor project designed to connect protected habitats in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan for the reintroduced cheetahs to roam safely and naturally across a vast ecosystem.

• Geographical Coverage:

• Total area: 17,000 sq. km is covered between Madhya Pradesh (10,500 sq. km) and Rajasthan (6,500 sq. km).

• Key Locations Involved: Palpur Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh: Located in Sheopur district, Kuno is the main site for India’s cheetah reintroduction project. Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh: Situated along the Chambal River in Mandsaur district, this sanctuary is rich in hilly terrain and diverse wildlife. It is being developed as the second habitat for cheetahs in Madhya Pradesh. Mukundara Hills Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan: Located in Kota division, it comprises parts of Darrah, Jawahar Sagar, and Chambal sanctuaries. The reserve has been identified as a potential cheetah habitat due to its arid grassland ecosystem. Rajasthan districts: Kota, Bundi, Baran, Jhalawar, Sawai Madhopur, Karauli, Chittorgarh. Proposed inclusion: Forest areas of Jhansi and Lalitpur (Uttar Pradesh)

• Palpur Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh: Located in Sheopur district, Kuno is the main site for India’s cheetah reintroduction project.

• Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh: Situated along the Chambal River in Mandsaur district, this sanctuary is rich in hilly terrain and diverse wildlife. It is being developed as the second habitat for cheetahs in Madhya Pradesh.

• It is being developed as the second habitat for cheetahs in Madhya Pradesh.

• Mukundara Hills Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan: Located in Kota division, it comprises parts of Darrah, Jawahar Sagar, and Chambal sanctuaries. The reserve has been identified as a potential cheetah habitat due to its arid grassland ecosystem.

• The reserve has been identified as a potential cheetah habitat due to its arid grassland ecosystem.

• Rajasthan districts: Kota, Bundi, Baran, Jhalawar, Sawai Madhopur, Karauli, Chittorgarh.

• Proposed inclusion: Forest areas of Jhansi and Lalitpur (Uttar Pradesh)

• Key Features of the Corridor:

• Inter-State Connectivity: First-of-its-kind wildlife linkage across two major states. Seamless Movement: Enables cheetahs to migrate naturally between reserves. Ecological Restoration: Aims to restore and conserve the grassland ecosystem. Strategic Collaboration: Supported by NTCA and Wildlife Institute of India, with expected MoU between states. Model for Asia: Recognised as a unique conservation model in Asia by experts.

• Inter-State Connectivity: First-of-its-kind wildlife linkage across two major states.

• Seamless Movement: Enables cheetahs to migrate naturally between reserves.

• Ecological Restoration: Aims to restore and conserve the grassland ecosystem.

• Strategic Collaboration: Supported by NTCA and Wildlife Institute of India, with expected MoU between states.

• Model for Asia: Recognised as a unique conservation model in Asia by experts.

• Significance for India:

• Revives Native Species: Strengthens India’s cheetah reintroduction mission. Strengthens Federal Conservation: Reflects cooperative federalism in ecological governance. Aligns with Global Goals: Supports Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) targets.

• Revives Native Species: Strengthens India’s cheetah reintroduction mission.

• Strengthens Federal Conservation: Reflects cooperative federalism in ecological governance.

• Aligns with Global Goals: Supports Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) targets.