Kuno: A report by the Accountant General of Madhya Pradesh has flagged concerns over the management of Project Cheetah at Kuno National Park (KNP), highlighting a “lack of coordination” between central and state government departments as well as issues regarding expenditure.
The concerns were raised in a sample audit of records – from August 2019 to November 2023 – that was made public Monday in response to an RTI query by wildlife activist Ajay Dubey.
Since they arrived in India, eight adult cheetahs — three females and five males — have died. Seventeen cubs have been born in India, with 12 surviving, bringing the total number of cheetahs, including cubs, in Kuno to 24. Currently, all are in enclosures as the grand initiatives completes two years today.
The audit flagged that there was no mention of cheetah reintroduction “in the work plan and management plan”, and that “there are no documents detailing where the cheetah reintroduction work began and how it started”.
The audit noted that Kuno was to be developed as an alternate habitat for Asiatic lions, as per the Supreme Court’s decision dated April 15, 2013, and the state government was “completely serious” about it.
“The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) process is in progress. India has finalised its part, and the Kenyan government needs to approve it. After that, both governments will sign the MoU,” Yadav, who is the adviser to the Centre’s Cheetah Project Steering Committee said.
“Discussions are ongoing with South Africa. It has already identified 12 to 16 surplus cheetahs. They must either give them to another country or euthanise them. That is the current situation,” Yadav added.
Join our whatsapp group for Latest updates