Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary

29.04.2024

Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary

Why in the  news?                                                                                                                                   

According to recent news, Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary of Madhya Pradesh will get 5-8 leopards from South Africa.

Important points:

• According to officials, five to eight cheetahs will be released into a fenced area in the Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh, possibly in the second half of the year, focusing on the animals' breeding and favorable weather.
• A South African delegation reached India to review the preparations in Gandhisagar for reintroduction of cheetahs and the progress of the project in Kuno National Park.
• This project is part of the Cheetah Plan, which aims to reintroduce cheetahs into the sanctuary. The focus is on breeding and favorable weather conditions.
• With a focus on breeding, five to eight leopards will be released into a fenced area at Gandhisagar.

Project Cheetah:

• Project Cheetah aims to revive the only large carnivore species extinct in independent India.
• The first batch of eight cheetahs was brought to India in September 2022, and the second batch of 12 cheetahs was brought from South Africa in February 2023.
• The present Action Plan, following the broad outline of the earlier Action Plan for the introduction of cheetahs in India, has been modified and tailored based on experiences learned from Kuno to suit the site-specific needs of Gandhisagar.

About Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary:

• Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary is located on the northern border of Mandsaur and Neemuch districts in Madhya Pradesh.
• It shares its border with the state of Rajasthan.
• Located on the Madhya Pradesh-Rajasthan border, Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Mandsaur and Neemuch districts of western MP is set to become the second home of African cheetahs in India.
• Most of the sanctuary consists of vast open landscapes with sparse vegetation and rocky terrain, interspersed with small patches of dense forests.
• The Chambal river flows through this sanctuary, dividing it into two parts.
• The forest of this sanctuary is part of the Khatiyar-Gir dry deciduous forest.
• In this sanctuary we will find trees like Salai, Kardhai, Dhavada, Tendu, Palash etc.
• The sanctuary is home to various wildlife species. Which mainly includes Chinkara (Indian Chikara), Nilgai and Sambhar.
• Additionally, the Indian leopard, langur, Indian wild dog, peacock, otter and crocodile are found in the region.
• The world famous Chaturbhuj Nala Rock Shelter is also a part of the same Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh has been chosen as the first home for the reintroduction of cheetahs.

                 Source: The new Indian Express