WITH CHECKING cheetahs on the agenda, a four-member delegation from the Union Ministry of Environment and the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) of Kenya to discuss the conclusion of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on wildlife conservation.
Under the ambitious Project Cheetah, which saw the translocation of African cheetahs to Madhya Pradesh, the government aims to introduce eight to 14 cheetahs each year, depending on availability.
The draft MoU was first exchanged and discussed by officials of the two countries in May when a six-member Kenyan delegation visited Delhi and Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh. An important part of the MoU is the “promotion and exchange of relevant wildlife species”, reflecting the discussions the countries have held on the importation of cheetahs from Kenya and possible discussions on this issue during the visit of the Indian delegation.
India has been looking for ways to get cheetahs from Kenya for Project Cheetah as it is believed that they can better adapt to India’s hot climate, as part of the African country lies in the northern hemisphere. The cheetahs found in the countries of the southern hemisphere – Namibia and South Africa – had made winter coats during the monsoons of India, and the humidity led to deadly diseases under the radio columns. Sources privy to the developments said Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav flashed the MoU ahead of the official visit. “This trip is aimed at developing cooperation discussions with Kenya on the issue of wildlife conservation and the MoU outlines things that can be done together. Finding cheetahs in Kenya is one of the things on the agenda,” said a well-placed source.
Other major wildlife conservation collaborations outlined in the MoU include capacity building, research, training of field workers, wildlife management and habitat management.
“We can train their staff at institutions like the Wildlife Institute of India and teach at our tiger reserves. These are some of the things that have been discussed before,” said another source.
India expressed its desire to find cheetahs in Kenya when it visited Kenyan President William Ruto last December.
In May, a Kenyan delegation traveled to Delhi to meet with NTCA officials and to see cheetah management in Kuno National Park and preparations for the Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, the next possible cheetah introduction site.