In a vocal critique of the Indian government’s recent announcement regarding the import of additional cheetahs from South Africa, BJP MP Varun Gandhi has once again expressed his vehement disapproval. Gandhi, who is a member of his own party, has taken a strong stance against the initiative, asserting that India should prioritize the conservation of its own endangered species and their habitats.
Gandhi’s outspoken remarks come in the aftermath of a series of cheetah fatalities within a mere five-month period in Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park. The head of Project Cheetah, SP Yadav, has disclosed that the forthcoming batch of cheetahs will be sourced from South Africa and introduced into Madhya Pradesh’s Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, with preparations underway to accommodate these magnificent creatures by year’s end.
It is worth noting that the initial group of cheetahs, originally imported from Namibia, was released into Kuno National Park by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 17th of the previous year, marking the one-year anniversary of Project Cheetah.
Taking to the platform now known as X (formerly Twitter), Varun Gandhi shared a news report concerning the upcoming arrival of cheetahs and firmly asserted, “The act of importing cheetahs from Africa, only to witness the unfortunate demise of nine of them in a foreign land, is not just an act of cruelty; it is a glaring display of negligence. Our foremost focus should be the conservation of our own endangered species and their habitats, rather than contributing to the suffering of these magnificent creatures.” His message underscored the urgent need to cease this “reckless pursuit” of exotic animals and prioritize the welfare of India’s native wildlife.
In response, Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi offered a satirical comment, stating, “Following the resounding success of the Cheetah project from Namibia (with nine casualties already), we now have Cheetahs from South Africa.” This wry observation encapsulated the concerns surrounding the endeavor.
Renowned cartoonist Satish Acharya, reflecting the sentiments of many X users, implored the government to “spare the cheetahs,” echoing the collective call for a reconsideration of the plan.
It is essential to note that out of the twenty cheetahs imported from Namibia and South Africa to Kuno in two separate batches, six adult cheetahs have met unfortunate demises for various reasons since March. In May, the extreme heat claimed the lives of three out of four cubs born to a female Namibian cheetah, with the fourth cub now receiving human care for its eventual reintroduction into the wild.
This ongoing debate underscores the critical importance of balanced conservation efforts that safeguard India’s own biodiversity while refraining from subjecting exotic species to perilous situations.
(With contributions from various agencies)
