Question : CHEETAHS FROM FOREIGN COUNTRIES

(a) Whether the Government plans to bring Cheetahs from South Africa, Namibia, Kenya or Tanzania;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether any study has been undertaken to ensure the survivability of these animals in an alien climate;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether the Government has commissioned any study to know the reasons for the extinction of Indian Cheetahs;

(f) if so, the findings of the study and the recommendations thereof; and

(g) the remedial steps the Government has taken to ensure that other Cheetahs do not meet the same fate?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS(SHRI JAIRAM RAMESH)

(a),(b),(c) & (d) No decision on reintroduction of Cheetah in India has been taken. However, a consultative meeting on Cheetah reintroduction in India was held in Gajner, Rajasthan on the 9th & 10th September 2009. It was organized by Wildlife Trust of India in collaboration with other conservation organizations including International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and International Cheetah experts, apart from Central and State Government officials. The important recommendation of the meeting was to conduct detailed surveys and analysis to ascertain habitat suitability, etc. for Cheetah reintroduction.

(e), (f) & (g) Though no specific study has been commissioned to know the reasons for extinction of Indian Cheetahs but from available literature, the main reasons for the extinction of Indian Cheetahs appear to be poaching/game-hunting and habitat loss. Cheetah is included in the Schedule –I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 thereby affording them highest degree of protection.