Project Cheetah: Second Batch of Felines Arrives from South Africa
As part of the ongoing reintroduction project, a second batch of 12 cheetahs has arrived at Kuno National Park from South Africa.
2-Minute Summary (TL;DR)
- India's 'Project Cheetah' aims to reintroduce cheetahs, declared extinct in 1952, into the wild.
- A second batch of 12 cheetahs (7 males, 5 females) arrived from South Africa in February 2023.
- Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh is the designated site for the cheetah reintroduction.
- The first batch of 8 cheetahs was translocated from Namibia in September 2022.
- The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is the nodal agency overseeing the project.
- Cheetahs undergo a quarantine period in specialized 'bomas' upon arrival.
- The project involves international collaboration with Namibia and South Africa.
- The reintroduction of cheetahs is expected to restore ecological balance and boost ecotourism.
- The Asiatic cheetah was last sighted in India in the 1940s.
How This Topic is Tested in Competitive Exams
| Exam | Frequency | Approx. Marks | What Gets Asked |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPSC / State PCS | Very High | 12–20 | Environment and Ecology is a separate section in UPSC Prelims. GS-III includes environment, climate change, and disaster management. |
| SSC (CGL / CHSL / MTS) | High | 3–5 | National parks, Ramsar sites, pollution levels, and climate summits appear in SSC GK. |
| State PCS / PSC | High | 5–8 | State PCS papers test both central environment policy and state-specific conservation achievements. |
Key Facts to Remember: Project Cheetah: Second Batch of Felines Arrives from South Africa
- India's 'Project Cheetah' aims to reintroduce cheetahs, declared extinct in 1952, into the wild.
- A second batch of 12 cheetahs (7 males, 5 females) arrived from South Africa in February 2023.
- Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh is the designated site for the cheetah reintroduction.
- The first batch of 8 cheetahs was translocated from Namibia in September 2022.
- The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is the nodal agency overseeing the project.
- Cheetahs undergo a quarantine period in specialized 'bomas' upon arrival.
- The project involves international collaboration with Namibia and South Africa.
- The reintroduction of cheetahs is expected to restore ecological balance and boost ecotourism.
- The Asiatic cheetah was last sighted in India in the 1940s.
Practice Questions
Q1. Which national park is the primary location for India's 'Project Cheetah'?
- Jim Corbett National Park
- Ranthambore National Park
- Kuno National Park
- Bandhavgarh National Park
Explanation: Kuno National Park, located in the Sheopur district of Madhya Pradesh, has been identified as the ideal habitat for the reintroduction of cheetahs under 'Project Cheetah' due to its suitable environment and prey base.
Q2. From which two countries has India received cheetahs for 'Project Cheetah'?
- Kenya and Tanzania
- Namibia and South Africa
- Botswana and Zimbabwe
- Ethiopia and Somalia
Explanation: The first batch of cheetahs was brought from Namibia in September 2022, and the second batch arrived from South Africa in February 2023, as part of the collaborative effort to re-establish cheetahs in India.
Q3. In which year was the cheetah officially declared extinct in India?
- 1947
- 1952
- 1965
- 1971
Explanation: The cheetah was officially declared extinct in India in 1952, primarily due to hunting, habitat loss, and a decline in prey populations, marking the end of its presence on the subcontinent for decades.
Q4. What is the role of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in 'Project Cheetah'?
- It is solely responsible for funding the project.
- It acts as the nodal agency overseeing the project's implementation.
- It manages the international logistics of cheetah translocations.
- It conducts the primary research on cheetah behavior in India.
Explanation: The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is the primary government body designated as the nodal agency for 'Project Cheetah', coordinating efforts between various stakeholders and ensuring the project's objectives are met.
Q5. What is the significance of the quarantine 'bomas' for the newly arrived cheetahs?
- They are permanent enclosures for cheetahs to live in.
- They are used for public display and tourism.
- They allow cheetahs to acclimatize and undergo health monitoring before release.
- They are breeding centers for cheetah cubs.
Explanation: The quarantine 'bomas' serve as temporary, secure enclosures where the translocated cheetahs are housed for a specific period to monitor their health, behavior, and adaptation to the new environment and diet before being released into larger areas.
How to Prepare Environment for Government Exams — Project Cheetah: Second Batch of Felines Arrives…
Ramsar sites and World Heritage Site additions are announced annually. Compile the year's additions — they are direct exam questions.
For UPSC, understand the international treaty context: Paris Agreement, CBD, CITES, Ramsar — know what each treaty does.
Climate news = policy news. Always note the government response to any environmental event — that's what UPSC Mains tests.
Related Current Affairs
Test Your Knowledge on Today's Current Affairs
10 questions · 10 minutes · Based on today's GK updates. See how prepared you really are.
Start Daily Quiz