CM Chouhan concern over frequent deaths of Cheetah in Kuno
CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan has expressed concern over the frequent deaths of cheetahs in Sheopur’s Kuno-Palpur sanctuary. After the death of eight cheetahs, the CM called a meeting of officers associated with the Cheetah Project today. Forest Minister Vijay Shah joined virtually in this meeting. In the meeting, CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that the death of some of the cheetahs brought to Kuno National Park in the Cheetah Rehabilitation Project is a matter of concern. For their health and care, all possible cooperation should be provided by the state government to the Cheetah Task Force constituted by the Central Government. Chief Secretary Iqbal Singh Bains, Additional Chief Secretary (Forest) JN Consotia and officials of Forest Department were present in the review meeting of the Cheetah Rehabilitation Project at Mantralaya.
The CM said that availability of all necessary medicines and equipment including adequate wildlife expert doctors should be ensured in Kuno area. Along with this, arrangements should also be made for regular review of the condition of cheetahs. If needed, also increase the number of forest guards and the area available for the rehabilitation project.
The Cheetah Project is implemented as per the decisions of the Cheetah Task Force constituted by the Central Government. A total of 20 cheetahs were brought to Kuno National Park, 8 from Namibia and 12 from South Africa. Presently 10 cheetahs are roaming in the open forest. 5 Cheetahs are kept in enclosures. All the cheetahs are being monitored 24 hours. A research team from the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun is present at Palpur solely for the implementation of the project.
A total of eight cheetahs have died in Kuno National Park so far. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called a review meeting regarding this project. PM Modi will review the progress of Project Cheetah amid a rise in cases of cheetah deaths. The Center has sent a team of five wildlife experts to Kuno. The team included Mohan Ram from Gujarat, Manoj Nair from Odisha, Deep Contractor from Karnataka and N.S. Are included. Murali and V. Harini from the Government of India will observe in Kuno. The Central Government has entrusted Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupendra Yadav with the task of continuously monitoring Kuno.
Officers associated with the Cheetah project gave a presentation in the meeting. In this presentation, information about the status report of cheetahs from Namibia and South Africa to their shifting to coons was given. Along with this, the reasons for the deaths of cheetahs were also given. In the meeting, the CM said that scientific facts should be taken care of in the report related to the Cheetah project. If any officer-employee is negligent in his work, strict action will be taken against him.
After the death of two cheetahs in a week, now three cheetahs have been found infected in Kuno. When the collar ID of Cheetah Oban was removed, a deep wound was found, even the eggs of insects were injured. Efforts are on to sedate both the infected cheetahs, Elton and Freddy. Two cheetahs have died in the last one week. Tejas and Suraj also died of infection.
Wildlife expert Mike Toft of South Africa will also reach Kuno to investigate the cheetahs. The remaining two cheetahs affected by the infection are being continuously monitored. Cheetah caller ID will be removed. The reasons for the spread of infection in cheetahs will be investigated. Here, the state government suddenly removed Wild Life PCCF JS Chauhan yesterday.
