Gandhinagar: It’s finally happening. Cheetahs are coming to Gujaratafter all, adding to the state’s big cat profile. On Friday, the Union government approved the state’s proposal to set up a centre to breed the fastest animal on land in Kutch’s Banni grasslandsstate forests and environment minister Mulubhai Bera said.
“The Gujarat government had sent a proposal to the National Compensatory Forestation Fund Management Authority under National CAMPA.The executive committee of National CAMPA, which met today (Friday) has granted its approval for setting up acheetah breeding centre at Banni grasslands in Kutch,” the minister said.
Bera said that cheetahs once roamed the Banni grasslands but had become extinct in the state in the wild. “With the proposal having been cleared, cheetahs are expected to roam in the wild yet again in Kutch district,” the minister said.
Wildlife experts said that there are records of cheetah hunting in Saurashtra and Dahod until 1921. Several reference journals have mentioned the presence of this non-pantherine big cat in Gujarat until the early 1940s, experts added.
However, experts warned that reintroducing cheetahs in Gujarat, especially in the Kutch area, would be a massive task. “Kutch does not have an adequate prey base. The Gujarat government will have to set up breeding centres and introduce a prey base in this area before cheetahs are brought,” they said.
According to sources, five sites had been identified in the country when Project Cheetah was first implemented, and Banni grasslands were one of the suitable sites for cheetah conservation. In the meantime, the Union forest ministry and the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) prepared a sanctuary for conservation of the Asiatic lion at Kuno Palpur in Madhya Pradesh.
“Since the project of shifting Asiatic lions from Gir to the Kuno Palpur sanctuary made no headway, the Union MOEF and NTCA secured necessary permissions to introduce cheetahs there as the sanctuary was ready,” said sources.
They added that after cheetahs were introduced in Kuno Palpur, two additional sites, one each in Gujarat and Rajasthan, were under consideration for their breeding.
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“The Gujarat government had sent a proposal to the National Compensatory Forestation Fund Management Authority under National CAMPA.The executive committee of National CAMPA, which met today (Friday) has granted its approval for setting up acheetah breeding centre at Banni grasslands in Kutch,” the minister said.
Bera said that cheetahs once roamed the Banni grasslands but had become extinct in the state in the wild. “With the proposal having been cleared, cheetahs are expected to roam in the wild yet again in Kutch district,” the minister said.
Wildlife experts said that there are records of cheetah hunting in Saurashtra and Dahod until 1921. Several reference journals have mentioned the presence of this non-pantherine big cat in Gujarat until the early 1940s, experts added.
However, experts warned that reintroducing cheetahs in Gujarat, especially in the Kutch area, would be a massive task. “Kutch does not have an adequate prey base. The Gujarat government will have to set up breeding centres and introduce a prey base in this area before cheetahs are brought,” they said.
According to sources, five sites had been identified in the country when Project Cheetah was first implemented, and Banni grasslands were one of the suitable sites for cheetah conservation. In the meantime, the Union forest ministry and the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) prepared a sanctuary for conservation of the Asiatic lion at Kuno Palpur in Madhya Pradesh.
“Since the project of shifting Asiatic lions from Gir to the Kuno Palpur sanctuary made no headway, the Union MOEF and NTCA secured necessary permissions to introduce cheetahs there as the sanctuary was ready,” said sources.
They added that after cheetahs were introduced in Kuno Palpur, two additional sites, one each in Gujarat and Rajasthan, were under consideration for their breeding.
We also published the following articles recently
Government approves cheetah breeding centre in Gujarat
The Union government has approved the setting up of a cheetah breeding centre at the Banni grasslands in Gujarat’s Kutch district. The Gujarat government sent a proposal to the National Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management Authority under National CAMPA, which has granted its approval. Cheetahs once roamed the Banni grasslands but became extinct in the state. With the proposal cleared, cheetahs are expected to roam in the wild again in Kutch.
The Union government has approved the setting up of a cheetah breeding centre at the Banni grasslands in Gujarat’s Kutch district. The Gujarat government sent a proposal to the National Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management Authority under National CAMPA, which has granted its approval. Cheetahs once roamed the Banni grasslands but became extinct in the state. With the proposal cleared, cheetahs are expected to roam in the wild again in Kutch.
Indian Air Force’s Cheetah helicopter makes ‘precautionary landing’ in Yamunanagar
A Cheetah helicopter of the Indian Air Force (IAF) made a precautionary landing in Leda Khas village in Yamunanagar district, attracting a large gathering of villagers. District police teams arrived to maintain safety while IAF officials inspected the helicopter. The helicopter, part of a routine training mission, safely flew back to base after being deemed fit.
A Cheetah helicopter of the Indian Air Force (IAF) made a precautionary landing in Leda Khas village in Yamunanagar district, attracting a large gathering of villagers. District police teams arrived to maintain safety while IAF officials inspected the helicopter. The helicopter, part of a routine training mission, safely flew back to base after being deemed fit.
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Sreesanth expresses disappointment in Gautam Gambhir’s conduct during the Legends League Cricket match between Gujarat Giants and India Capitals. Gambhir hits a brilliant 52 off 30 balls, helping India Capitals secure a victory. Sreesanth takes to Instagram to narrate an on-field incident where Gambhir used rude language towards him. Sreesanth’s wife, Bhuvneshwari, also reacts to the incident, expressing shock at Gambhir’s behavior.