Context:
Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh has been identified as a key site under the Cheetah Reintroduction Project in India.
Key Highlights:
- Location / Geographical Features
- Located in Madhya Pradesh.
- Spread over 1,187 sq. km – largest sanctuary in the state.
- Situated in the upper Vindhyan range.
- Lies in the Deccan Peninsula biogeographic zone.
- Ecological Significance
- Acts as a corridor linking Panna, Satpura, and Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserves.
- Important for wildlife movement and genetic diversity.
- Drainage System
- ¾ area in Yamuna basin, ¼ in Narmada basin.
- Major rivers: Kopra, Bamner, Bearma (tributaries of Ken River).
- Flora and Vegetation
- Tropical dry and mixed deciduous forests.
- Dominant species: Teak, Saja, Dhaora, Mahua, Tendu, Amla.
- Fauna
- Includes Indian wolf, Bengal tiger, leopard, sloth bear, sambar, nilgai, chinkara.
- Rich avian diversity.
- Conservation Role
- Selected for Cheetah reintroduction programme.
Relevant Prelims Points:
- Location: Madhya Pradesh (Vindhyan plateau).
- Largest Wildlife Sanctuary in MP.
- Biogeographic Zone: Deccan Peninsula.
- River Systems: Tributaries of Ken River (Yamuna basin).
- Cheetah Reintroduction Project:
- India’s effort to reintroduce extinct cheetahs.
Relevant Mains Points:
- Ecological Importance:
- Maintains habitat connectivity and biodiversity conservation.
- Supports large carnivores and herbivores.
- Cheetah Reintroduction:
- Aims to restore ecological balance and grassland ecosystems.
- Enhances global conservation image of India.
- Challenges:
- Habitat suitability and prey base availability.
- Human-wildlife conflict in buffer areas.
- Long-term monitoring and adaptation of cheetahs.
- Way Forward:
- Strengthen habitat management and prey base.
- Enhance community participation and compensation mechanisms.
- Continuous scientific monitoring of reintroduced species.
UPSC Relevance:
- Prelims: Location, rivers, species, cheetah project.
- Mains GS Paper 3: Biodiversity conservation, wildlife corridors, species reintroduction.