Cheetahs moving from Kuno to Rajasthan showing ‘natural territorial behaviour’: NTCA

Assessing Cheetah Territorial Migration: Ecological Management vs Conservation Design

India's translocation programme for African cheetahs has witnessed a critical development, as the species relocated from Kuno National Park (Madhya Pradesh) to Rajasthan, reportedly displaying ‘natural territorial behaviour’ according to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). This case underscores the conceptual tension between ecological management and habitat adaptation challenges in species reintroduction. Balancing species-specific behavioural patterns with designated conservation zones highlights the complexities of wildlife restoration in India.

Such ecological behaviour raises questions of policy adequacy, governance capacity, and habitat scalability, requiring a deeper examination of conservation design amidst broader environmental sustainability goals. For instance, India’s conservation efforts, such as the Policy Reforms That Transformed Business Environment, reflect a broader need for systemic changes in governance and resource allocation.

UPSC Relevance Snapshot

• GS-III: Environment - Conservation efforts, Wildlife Management, Species Translocation Case Studies.
• GS-II: Governance and Policy - Role of NTCA, State-Centre collaboration.
• Essay Angle: Human interventions in nature—impacts, ethics, and adaptation mechanisms in wildlife management.

Institutional Framework: Cheetah Reintroduction Programme

The translocation of African cheetahs from Namibia and South Africa is part of India's ambitious attempt to reintroduce an extinct species under programmes regulated by NTCA, Wildlife Institute of India (WII), and state forest departments. This initiative signifies India's commitment to biodiversity restoration amidst global conservation frameworks, including the IUCN guidelines for transboundary species restoration.

• Key Institutions Involved:
  • NTCA: Overall monitoring authority for large carnivore conservation.
  • WII: Technical oversight for site selection and habitat adequacy.
  • State Forest Departments: Local implementation and logistical management.
• Legal Framework: Wildlife Protection Act, 1972—Schedule I protections for reintroduced species.
• Funding Structure: National funding supplemented by international collaborations through Cheetah Project agreements with Namibia/South Africa.

Such frameworks also align with India's broader economic and environmental policies, as seen in initiatives like India’s New GDP Series: Key Implications for the Economy, which emphasize sustainable development.

Key Issues and Challenges

1. Habitat Adequacy and Scalability

• Lack of prey density and territory size at Kuno National Park compared to expansive savannahs in Africa.
• NFHS-5 highlights only 5% of Indian landmass under protected areas for wildlife—below global standards like the Aichi Biodiversity Target 11 (17%).
• Territorial behaviour indicates ecological stress, potentially due to habitat fragmentation.

2. Governance Gaps

• No clear demarcation of cheetah migration corridors in Rajasthan despite reintroduction planning.
• Inconsistent policy implementation between Centre (NTCA) and States, risking conservation viability.
• Lack of state-specific budgetary allocation for conservation despite NTCA directives.

Addressing governance gaps is crucial, as seen in other policy areas like Regulations to implement new rural job Act yet to be finalised, where inter-agency coordination plays a vital role.

3. Adaptation and Ethics

• Relocated individuals struggling with climate variation compared to African savannah ecosystems.
• Potential human-wildlife conflict escalation in Rajasthan due to unplanned relocations.
• SDG Indicator 15.5 (Protect threatened species) under threat if interspecies competition exacerbates stress conditions.

Similar challenges have been observed in other regions, such as the West Asia crisis, where environmental stressors impact local ecosystems and livelihoods.

Comparative Table: India vs Africa in Cheetah Habitat Management

Critical Evaluation

While the NTCA asserts natural territorial behaviour, the relocation highlights critical gaps in conservation planning. Oversights in habitat adequacy and ecological stress monitoring underscore the limitations of single-zone conservation models like Kuno. Additionally, state governance inconsistencies hinder full-spectrum operationalisation of reintroduction strategies. Recent data from the WII suggests that 40% success rates globally depend on multi-territorial planning—a framework lacking in India’s conservation design.

However, the project aligns with global biodiversity goals under CBD Aichi targets and reflects strong intent to pioneer large carnivore restorations on the Asian continent. Counterarguments suggest that more adaptive management is required to avoid biodiversity failures akin to previous projects like Sariska tiger reintroduction.

Way Forward

To ensure the success of the cheetah reintroduction programme, India must adopt a multi-pronged approach:

• Develop and implement multi-territorial conservation models that include migration corridors for cheetahs.
• Strengthen state-centre coordination to ensure consistent policy implementation and adequate funding for conservation efforts.
• Enhance habitat scalability by increasing prey density and expanding protected areas under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
• Invest in community engagement programmes to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts, particularly in densely populated areas.
• Leverage international expertise and partnerships, such as those seen in India’s alternative crude supply strategies, to improve conservation outcomes.

Exam Integration