New Delhi: Expressing critical concern over the latest deaths of three cheetahs at Kuno National Park (KNP) of Madhya Pradesh, the Supreme Court on Thursday (May 18) requested the Centre to rise above politics and consider shifting the large cats to Rajasthan. A bench of justices BR Gavai and Sanjay Karol famous that the deaths had occurred inside two months of their translocation from South Africa and Namibia to Kuno National Park.
‘KNP seem to be sufficient for such a large number of cheetahs’
The apex courtroom informed the Centre that from studies of consultants and articles, it seems that KNP doesn’t appear to be ample for such a big quantity of cheetahs and the Union authorities might consider shifting them to different sanctuaries.
“Three deaths (of cheetahs) in lower than two months is a matter of critical concern. There are opinions of consultants and articles within the media. It seems that Kuno is just not ample for therefore many cheetahs. There is an excessive amount of focus of cheetahs at one place. Why do not you search for an acceptable place in Rajasthan? Merely as a result of Rajasthan is dominated by an opposition occasion doesn’t imply, you’ll not consider it,” the bench mentioned.
Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, showing for the Centre assured the Court that the Task Force constituted for this objective is investigating all doable points together with shifting them to different sanctuaries.
3 cheetahs died at KNP
On March 27, a feminine Cheetah named Sasha (from Namibia) died due to kidney ailment, on April 23, Uday (S Africa) died due to cardio-pulmonary failure and on May 9, one other South African feminine cheetah named Daksha, died following a violent interplay with a male throughout a mating try.
“We came to know that the cheetah which died due to kidney-related ailment was suffering from the problem before being brought to India. The question is how was that female cheetah cleared to be brought to India if the feline was suffering from the ailment,” the bench mentioned.
Bhati mentioned autopsies of all of the deaths had been completed and job drive is investigating the problem. “You are bringing the cheetahs from abroad, it’s a good thing. But they need to be protected. They need to be given suitable habitat, why don’t you explore for more suitable habitat than Kuno”, the bench mentioned, including that it isn’t casting any aspersions on the federal government however expressing concern over the deaths.
Bhati mentioned one cheetah has given beginning to 4 cubs which exhibits that they’re acclimatising effectively in Kuno. He mentioned death of cheetahs is just not an uncommon factor however they’re totally investigating and if the courtroom needs, the federal government would really like to file a further affidavit giving the main points of the deaths.
Justice Gavai informed Bhati, “Don’t bring party-politics into this issue. Consider all the available habitats, whatever is suitable for them. I will be glad if cheetahs are brought to Maharashtra.” Bhati mentioned Mukundara National Park is prepared and the duty drive can be contemplating transferring some of them to different nationwide parks in Madhya Pradesh.
“There are no cheetah experts in India as cheetahs went extinct from the country in 1947-48. Since then our officials have been to South Africa, Namibia and undergone specialized training on Cheetah management”, Bhati mentioned, including if the courtroom is contemplating listening to views of cheetah consultants, then it ought to hear all of them and never one or two, who’ve explicit form of opinions.
SC asks knowledgeable committee to give its suggestion job drive on cheetah
The bench then requested the highest court-constituted knowledgeable committee to give its suggestion to the nationwide job drive on cheetah in 15 days, in order that it may very well be thought of. It posted the matter for additional listening to after summer time trip.
The high courtroom’s path got here whereas listening to an utility filed by the Centre searching for path from the courtroom that it’s now not essential and necessary for the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) to proceed taking the steerage and recommendation of the knowledgeable committee appointed by this courtroom by means of an order dated January 28, 2020.
The high courtroom had then mentioned that the three-member committee comprising former director of wildlife safety M Okay Ranjit Sinh, chief conservator of forests, wildlife administration in Uttarakhand Dhananjai Mohan and the DIG (Wildlife) of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) will information the NTCA within the introduction of African cheetahs in India.
12 cheetahs translocated from South Africa to KNP
The Centre, in its utility mentioned that in accordance to the motion plan for cheetah introduction in India, yearly 8-14 huge cats are required to be introduced in from African international locations for the subsequent 5 years at least and a memorandum of understanding on this regard has been signed by the federal government of India with Namibia and South Africa for cooperation within the subject of cheetah conservation.
Giving the main points, the Centre mentioned that following the signing of the MOU, (*3*).
The authorities mentioned that as per MoU with South Africa, 12 cheetahs — seven males and 5 females — had been translocated from South Africa to KNP on February 18, 2023.
It mentioned that this complete train of cheetah introduction in India has been carried out beneath the knowledgeable steerage and supervision of the International cheetah consultants, scientists, veterinarians, forest officers and NTCA in consultations with the committee appointed by this courtroom vide order dated January 28, 2020.
5 cheetahs to be launched in Kuno earlier than monsoon
Notably, 5 cheetahs — three females and two males — will likely be launched from the acclimatisation camps into free-ranging situations in Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park (KNP) earlier than the onset of the monsoon in June.
Animals are usually not launched into the wild throughout the monsoon season as harsh climate situations make it troublesome for them to discover meals and shelter and adapt to their new surroundings.
The Union Environment Ministry mentioned the cheetahs will likely be allowed to transfer out of KNP and won’t essentially be “recaptured unless they venture into areas where they are in significant danger”.
(With PTI inputs)
Also Read: 5 extra cheetahs to be launched into wild in MP’s Kuno earlier than monsoon
