Madhya Pradesh: Cheetah Landscape Awaits Pact Between MP & Rajasthan

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The development of the cheetah landscape between Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan is in limbo at present as the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two states is yet to be signed.

The development of this landscape will prove beneficial for cheetahs, providing them a corridor to move between both the states in future.

Chief WildLife Warden (CWLW) of Rajasthan, Shikha Mehra told the Free Press that long before she took the charge as CWLW, Rajasthan had sent an MoU- related proposal to Madhya Pradesh.

This proposal was under consideration of the Madhya Pradesh government. Once the MoU was inked, a feasibility study would be carried out with the help of WWI (Wildlife Institute of India).

She said Madhya Pradesh Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Wild Life, Subhranjan Sen was in the know of things. However, when contacted, Sen refused to comment on the issue.

Field director of Kuno National Park, Uttam Kumar Sharma said that the cheetah landscape would cover 15 districts, eight from Madhya Pradesh and seven from Rajasthan. The Madhya Pradesh districts are Mandsaur, Shivpuri, Morena, Ashok Nagar, Guna, Neemuch and Sheopur etc.

The total area of the cheetah landscape will be 17000 square kilometres, including around 11000 square km of Madhya Pradesh and 6000 square km of Rajasthan.

Sources said once the cheetah landscape became a reality, it would have everything required to help in survival of cheetahs. For instance, grassland would be developed which would automatically attract herbivores, providing a prey base for cheetahs. Likewise, a water facility would also be arranged. Humans would be trained in handling cheetah- related affairs.

Notably, in the past, cheetahs have crossed the limits of Kuno National Park and some strayed to Rajasthan and till the borders of Uttar Pradesh as well.