Yet another site at grasslands near Rawatbhata in Hadauti region has been identified for fresh survey for the re-introduction of the mammal. The Ministry had identified four sites —one each in Gujarat and MP and two in Rajasthan — for its cheetah re-introduction programme, which will take another two years to start.
A section of wildlife experts have, however, questioned the feasibility of the project, considering that cheetahs are predators of grasslands and due to the dramatic rise in human population all the grasslands of the country have been transformed into agricultural land. Only rocky and hilly terrains, suitable for tigers and leopards, have actually survived.
Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh had recently met Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot in this regard. Ramesh said that he had been assured by Gehlot that he would talk to the local leaders at Shahgarh Bulge in Jaisalmer so that the cheetah can be brought there. Read the full report here.
Source: Moushumi Basu, The Pioneer, New Delhi.
