Cheetah Breeding Center

Context

The central government has recently approved the establishment of a cheetah breeding and conservation center in the Banni Grassland which is a reserved forest spanning 2,618 sq km in Kutch district of Gujarat.

About the cheetah and the breeding and conservation center

1. Cheetahs in India were reintroduced from Africa [ Scientific Name: Acinonyx Jubatus ] and are marked as Vulnerable in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
2. The state government of Gujarat has prepared a proposal under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management Authority {CAMPA} to support the cheetah population restoration.
3. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) shall monitor the progress of the project aimed at restoring the cheetah population in the state and country.
4. Banni Grassland, which was historically the habitat of cheetahs, is ready for its reintroduction.

Banni Grassland:

1. The Banni grassland in Gujarat’s Kutch district is among the largest grasslands in the Indian subcontinent.
2. It forms an exclusive belt of arid grassland ecosystem on the edge of the desert of the marshy salt flats of Rann of Kutch.
3. It is a region which is both  ecologically valuable and socio-culturally unique.
4. It is home to more than 40 thousand Maldharis, a pastoral tribal community known for rearing high-yielding buffaloes and cows.
5. It is also home to some other tribes such as ; the Halaypotra, Hingora, Jat and Mutwa tribes.
6. Flora : halophiles species (salt tolerant), as well scattered tree cover and scrub.
7. Fauna :  nilgai, blackbuck,chinkara, wild boar, Indian hare,golden jackal etc.

Benefits of Cheetah breeding and conservation center

Way Forward

• Continue advancing scientific research, expanding educational programs, strengthening global partnerships, and promoting sustainable tourism for a comprehensive and effective cheetah conservation strategy.

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