Indian delegation returns from South Africa after learning cheetah management

While the forest authorities in Madhya Pradesh have failed to create a prey base for cheetahs in the forest even after two years of the beginning of Project Cheetah, senior forest officials who went to South Africa to learn cheetah management have said in the tour report that they lamented the non-availability of Indian food there.

Under the section 'Future Prospects' in the report, the officials said, “A common problem faced by Indian delegates was food. The South African food is quite different from the Indian food in content and preparation. We were prepared for it and managed it. There were problems in accommodation and transportation but the delegates adjusted to the situation.”

The officials said, “Most of us visited South Africa for the first time to get familiar about the challenges in cheetah management. The visit will help us better plan such tours in future.”

Wildlife activist Ajay Dubey said the Indian Forest Service officers are trained to adapt themselves to every condition. He said the authorities should concentrate on creating a prey base for cheetahs than lamenting about food.

“It is surprising that the government spends crores of rupees on Project Cheetah and to train the officials for its effective management and they lament about food and transportation. It is the first time this has happened. They are trained to adapt to different situations,” he said.

Kuno National Park is home to trans-located cheetahs in India. Besides, the park is dominated by leopards which feed on chitals, thereby impacting the prey of the former.