Cheetah rehabilitation in Kuno Park, a step of national importance: CM
| Date :09-Sep-2022 |
Staff Reporter
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that work of bringing cheetahs from Namibia to rehabilitate them in Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park is being done as per prescribed parameters.
This is a work of national importance. Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself will inaugurate this work on September 17 at Kuno National Park in Sheopur district. All necessary preparations should be made to complete this programme with full dignity and enthusiasm. Chouhan was receiving information at his residence on Thursday about preparations being made in connection with the Prime Minister’s visit to Sheopur district on September 17.
It was informed that rehabilitation work will be done in Kuno National Park of Sheopur district as per prevailing internationally practised techniques of cheetah management.
Discussion held on programme outline
Chief Minister Chouhan received information about all aspects related to preparations for the visit of Prime Minister Modi. He said that during Prime Minister’s visit, mainly the programme for arrival of cheetahs in Kuno National Park and convention of sisters of self-help groups in Karahal is scheduled.
A development exhibition will also be organised on the occasion. Presentation of works being done in ODOP in the districts of Madhya Pradesh will also be included. Mainly information about mustard oil in Morena district, groundnut oil in Shivpuri district, angavastra made in Chanderi, jackets made in Shivpuri, Gondi paintings of Dindori and activities related to millet products and works related to their production and manufacturing etc will be given to the Prime Minister.
Welfare activities will be held across State
Chief Minister Chouhan directed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is attending two major programmes in Sheopur on September 17, birthday of Prime Minister Modi. In the remaining districts, various departments should make this occasion a means of expressing happiness by organising public welfare activities. Instructions have also been given to run a campaign in the State from September 17 to October 31 to benefit beneficiaries from the schemes. Chouhan said that programmes should be implemented after determining nature so that general public should get benefit of the service works of the departments.
Officers and field staff of the departments should be given responsibilities for the campaign starting from birthday of the Prime Minister.
Cheetahs were declared extinct in 1952, survey found Kuno most favourable
It was informed that cheetah was declared extinct in India in 1952. In 2009, international cheetah experts held a discussion with the Central and State government for cheetah restoration. In 2010, the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) conducted a survey of potential areas for cheetah restoration in India, in which Kuno Sanctuary, which is currently Kuno National Park, was found to be most suitable among 10 sites.
Work will be done according to prescribed protocol and guidelines for replacement of cheetahs that are on the brink of extinction in India.
The integrated management of the project envisages the habitat of about two dozen cheetahs in 750 square kilometers of the National Park of Kuno. Apart from this, about 3,000 square kilometer forest area is suitable for free movement of cheetahs in two districts Sheopur and Shivpuri.
Prime Minister Modi will release leopards in two enclosures. Two male cheetahs will be released in first enclosure. A female cheetah will be released into second enclosure. A team of Forest Department officials has received training in Namibian Cheetah Management Techniques.
Preparations made in Kuno for rehabilitation of cheetahs: work of vaccination of animals has been completed in village adjoining Kuno National Park area. Awareness camps have been organised in all the villages of the area. Favourable conditions have been developed for habitat of cheetahs. Necessary civil works along with water arrangements have also been completed. To increase density of wildlife in Kuno, cheetals have been brought from Narsinghgarh and released. According to experts, hunting density in the area is sufficient for cheetahs. Male cheetahs live together in groups of two or more. At first, cheetahs will be kept in small separate enclosures for two to three weeks. After a month they will be shifted to bigger enclosures. After assessment of cheetah’s adaptation in large enclosures by experts, first male cheetahs and then female cheetahs will be released into open forest. Action will be taken in this regard as per necessary protocol. Conference of women of self-help groups: Chouhan sought information about the preparations for orientation and co-conference of women of SHGs associated with MP State Rural Livelihood Mission at Karahal in Sheopur district. He directed that necessary arrangements should be made for women taking part in it. There are 3,86,000 SHGs working in State, more than 43 lakh families are connected to them. Works of vegetable production, milk production, incense sticks, handwash, soap making, agriculture and animal husbandry based livelihood activities, operation of Aajeevika Poshan Vatika are being done by the groups. Modi will seek information about entrepreneurship of members of the group. Chouhan gave instructions to complete arrangements for the conference. Forest Minister Dr Kunwar Vijay Shah, Chief Secretary Iqbal Singh Bains, Director General of Police Sudhir Kumar Saxena, Principal Secretary Forest Ashok Varnwal, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Manish Rastogi, Principal Secretary Culture Department Shiv Shekhar Shukla and Principal Secretary Public Relations Raghavendra Kumar Singh, Officer on Special Duty, Chief Minister’s Office Yogesh Chaudhary were also present. Commissioner Gwalior Ashish Saxena and administrative officers of Gwalior division and Sheopur district also joined virtually.