India-born Cheetah Mukhi Gives Birth, Strengthening Reintroduction Drive

Context:

• Mukhi, an India-born cheetah and the only surviving cub from the first litter born in Kuno National Park (2023), has given birth to five cubs.

• This marks the first second-generation reproduction under Project Cheetah, making it a major milestone in India’s cheetah reintroduction programme.

• The development strengthens India’s long-term efforts to restore cheetah populations and revive grassland ecosystems.

Key Highlights:

• About Project Cheetah (2022):

  • India’s flagship initiative to reintroduce cheetahs after they were declared extinct in India in 1952.

  • Cheetahs were brought from:

    • Namibia

    • South Africa

  • It is the world’s first intercontinental translocation project for a large carnivore.

• Kuno National Park (Madhya Pradesh):

  • Selected due to savanna-like grasslands, open forests, and availability of prey species.

  • Suitable for cheetah movement, hunting, and breeding.

  • Provides habitat for herbivores like chital, sambar, and wild boar.

• Scientific / Ecological Significance:

  • Second-generation reproduction indicates:

    • Successful adaptation to Indian habitat.

    • Proof of genetic continuity and breeding stability.

    • Improved survival chances of the introduced population.

• Significance for Biodiversity & Ecosystem Restoration:

  • Helps restore grassland and open forest ecology.

  • Enhances predator diversity and balances food chains.

  • Improves ecosystem services like nutrient cycling and habitat stability.

• Concerns / Challenges:

  • Risk of overcrowding in Kuno if population grows rapidly.

  • Human-wildlife conflict potential in surrounding villages.

  • Disease risks due to climate stress and habitat pressure.

Relevant Prelims Points:

• Issue & Background:

  • Cheetah was declared extinct in India in 1952 due to hunting, habitat loss, and prey depletion.

  • India is currently restoring large carnivore diversity through conservation-based reintroductions.

• Key Facts about Cheetah:

  • Fastest land animal.

  • Prefers open grasslands and savanna ecosystems.

  • Vulnerable to habitat fragmentation and prey scarcity.

• Project Cheetah Key Points:

  • Launched in 2022.

  • Species source: African cheetahs from Namibia and South Africa.

  • Objective: Establish a self-sustaining cheetah population in India.

• Benefits / Importance:

  • Strengthens India’s global wildlife conservation status.

  • Helps revive degraded grasslands and open forest ecosystems.

  • Supports eco-tourism and livelihood opportunities.

• Challenges / Risks:

  • Need for strong prey base management.

  • Veterinary care and monitoring essential.

  • Risks of disease outbreaks and climate-related stress.

• Impact (India + Global):

  • India becomes one of the few countries hosting:

    • Tigers, Lions, Leopards, and Cheetahs.

  • Adds to India’s role in global biodiversity conservation.

Relevant Mains Points:

• Core Concept / Static Linkage:

  • Species reintroduction as a conservation strategy.

  • Restoration of ecosystems through apex predator introduction.

  • Grassland conservation as an under-recognized ecological priority.

• Governance / Institutional Dimensions:

  • Wildlife conservation under:

    • Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972

    • National Wildlife Action Plan

  • Role of NTCA and Wildlife Institute of India in project planning.

• Ecological & Socio-Economic Dimensions:

  • Ecological restoration improves biodiversity resilience.

  • Eco-tourism potential boosts local development.

  • Need to mitigate human-wildlife conflict through compensation and awareness.

• Keywords for Answer Writing:

  • Species Reintroduction

  • Habitat Suitability

  • Genetic Viability

  • Grassland Ecosystems

  • Predator-Prey Balance

  • Conservation Translocation

• Way Forward:

  • Strengthen prey-base management (chital, blackbuck, hare).

  • Enhance monitoring using radio-collaring and AI tracking.

  • Improve veterinary support and disease surveillance.

  • Expand habitats beyond Kuno to prevent overcrowding.

  • Strengthen climate resilience through water management and habitat enrichment.

UPSC Relevance (GS-wise):

• GS1: Geography – Grassland ecosystems and habitat distribution.

• GS2: Governance – Conservation policy and institutional framework.

• GS3: Environment and Biodiversity, species conservation, ecological restoration.

• GS4: Ethical responsibility toward biodiversity conservation and intergenerational equity.