After being declared extinct in 1952, Cheetahs are being reintroduced in India under Project Cheetah, the world’s first inter-continental large wild carnivore translocation project.
From the historical ranges where Cheetahs were once found, following 10 potential sites from the states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh are found to be suitable:

• Sanjay-Dubri Tiger Reserve and Guru Ghasidas National Park: Cheetahs were last observed in this region but presently prey-density is low.
• Kuno-Palpur region: High potential as the region is already restored for introducing the Asiatic lions. Nauradehi WLS, MP: It has reasonable prey-density.
• Kaimur WLS, UP and Bagdara WLS, MP: Continuous region with reasonable prey-density but much land is under agriculture.
• Shahgarh landscape of Jaisalmer, Rajasthan: It is suitable because the area is well fenced along the international border.
• Banni grasslands and Kachchh WLS, Gujarat: Potential habitat but prey base needs to be developed.
• Desert National Park in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan: It is large and has a good number of prey but is the last stronghold for the great Indian bustard.

Significance of reintroduction of Cheetahs in India:

• Establish viable cheetah metapopulation in India: It will re-establish cheetah’s functional role as a top predator, restoring historic evolutionary balance and positive impacts like:
  • Better management and restoration of wildlife habitat (grasslands, scrublands and open forest ecosystems).
  • Conservation of cheetah’s prey and sympatric endangered species.
  • Top-down effect of a large predator that enhances and maintains the diversity in lower trophic levels of the ecosystems.
• Resource mobilization: Cheetah as a charismatic flagship and umbrella species can help to garner resources for restoring open forest and ecosystem services like soil moisture conservation, water security, etc.
• Enhance local community livelihoods through eco-development and eco-tourism prospects.

Challenges regarding relocation

• Exaggerated and unfeasible conservation claims: At low numbers, the introduced cheetahs might not be able to effectively impact the ecosystem functions.
• 750 sq-km Kuno national park could limit their movement: Unlike other large cats, free- ranging cheetahs are characterised by disproportionately large home ranges and very low population densities.
  • Due to their homing instincts, diurnal nature and large home ranges, cheetahs are likely to stray outside of territory and come in contact with humans.
  • Cheetahs could face attacks from or be forced to compete for food with aggressive predators such as tigers and leopards.
• Difficulties in adaptation: African Cheetahs may find it difficult to adapt to India’s climatic conditions.
• Risk of diseases: There is a risk of disease spread to both the individual animals that are being introduced and to the wildlife species which inhabit the site.
• Displacement of local communities: Several villages have been relocated for the project and introducing more Cheetahs may require more relocation.

The reintroduction of apex carnivores should be seen as “ecosystem conservation” rather than merely as species conservation. However, a thorough disease screening process should be followed, along with counselling and training of local communities.