Page 9 - Wildlife

Cheetahs at KNP: Villagers fear land acquisition, human-animal conflict

Amid the excitement over the arrival of Cheetahs in the Kuno National Park, villagers in the surrounding areas of Madhya Pradesh's Sheopur district have a variety of concerns including the fear of land acquisition and the fear of the big cat itself. Some people are, however, optimistic that once the KNP becomes famous for its new entrants, increased tourist footfall will create jobs. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday morning released eight cheetahs brought from Namibia into a quarantine enclosure at the KNP as part of a project to revive the population of the animal which became extinct in India in 1952. "What will happen to my small food outlet when remaining four-five villages are shifted for the park? We are already affected financially because of the relocation of 25 villages for the Kuno Park over the last 15 years," said Radheshyam Yadav, a vendor selling snacks and tea on Sheopur-Shivpuri road, speaking to PTI. His shop is at Sesaipura, 15 km from the KNP. Ramkumar

No efforts made for decades to reintroduce cheetahs in India: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday hit out at the previous governments, saying that no constructive efforts were made to reintroduce cheetahs in India after they became extinct from the country seven decades ago. He also said that the Project Cheetah, under which the felines were reintroduced, was his government's endeavour towards environment and wildlife conservation. Modi, who turned 72 on Saturday, was speaking after releasing two of the eight cheetahs flown in from Namibia into special enclosures in the Kuno National Park (KNP) in Sheopur district of Madhya Pradesh. "It is unfortunate that we declared cheetahs extinct in 1952, but for decades no constructive efforts were made to reintroduce them in India. Now, with new strength and vigour, the country has embarked on the project of reviving the population of cheetahs during this 'amrit kaal'," he said. In his address after kicking off the cheetah introduction project conceived by the previous United Progressive Alliance

Project Cheetah an effort for wildlife, environment conservation: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the Project Cheetah, under which the felines were reintroduced in the country after they became extinct seven decades ago, is his government's endeavour towards environment and wildlife conservation. Modi was speaking after releasing cheetahs flown in from Namibia into special enclosures in Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh. Modi, who turned 72 on Saturday, released three of the eight cheetahs, who made the transcontinental flight, in an enclosure by operating a lever. The PM said it was unfortunate that we declared cheetah extinct in 1952, but for decades no constructive efforts were made to reintroduce them. He thanked the government of Namibia for help in the programme to reintroduce cheetahs in India. Project Cheetah, under which the cheetahs were reintroduced in the country after they became extinct seven decades ago, is our endeavour towards environment and wildlife conservation, he said. Cheetahs are our guests; we should gi

PM Narendra Modi releases cheetahs in Kuno national park on his birthday

Two helicopters carrying eight cheetahs reached Palpur near Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh on Saturday, following their arrival in Gwalior from Namibia in a special plane as part of the programme to reintroduce the feline in India seven decades after it was declared extinct in the country. The plane carrying the felines from Namibia landed at the Gwalior airbase shortly before 8 am, an official said. A modified Boeing aircraft, which took off from the African country Friday night, carried the cheetahs in special wooden crates during the around 10-hour journey. The animals were later taken to Palpur near the KNP in Sheopur district, 165 km from Gwalior, in two helicopters. At the KNP, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is celebrating his birthday on Saturday, will release three of the cheetahs in quarantine enclosures of the park at 10.45 am. During their journey from Namibia to Gwalior, the cheetahs remained without food and will be given something to eat once they are relea

Project cheetah: World's first inter-continental carnivore translocation

The cheetahs are being brought under Project Cheetah with an aim to reintroduce the big cat in India, after they were officially declared extinct in 1952

What is Project Cheetah? Eight African cheetahs to arrive in India

The cheetah is a flagship grassland species; whose conservation also helps in preserving other grassland species in the predator food chain

Latest news LIVE: Want to make India manufacturing hub, PM Modi at SCO

From Shanghai Cooperation Organization meet to coronavirus cases and more, catch all the latest developments from across the globe here

Wild elephant killed after being hit by goods train in Assam's Hojai

A wild elephant was killed after being hit by a goods train in Assam's Hojai district on Thursday evening.According to an official, the incident took place when the elephant tried to cross the railway track.Sabyasachi De, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of NF Railway told ANI that, the incident took place near Hawaipur in Hojai district at around 6.20 pm on Thursday when the elephant tried to cross the railway track."The elephant was hit by a cement-laden goods train. After getting dashed, the elephant fell down on the track," the NF Railway CPRO said.

Covid lab leak theory is dead. The virus came from a Wuhan market: Report

Huanan market was the pandemic epicentre An analysis of the geographic locations of the earliest known COVID cases dating to December 2019 revealed a strong clustering around the Huanan market.

India is taking several steps to conserve wildlife population

As per the most recent 2018-19 survey, there were 2,997 tigers in India

India lost 329 tigers in 3 years, including 29 due to poaching: Govt

India lost 329 tigers in the last three years due to poaching, natural and unnatural causes, the government has said

Biodiversity: India's conservation priorities are misplaced, say experts

The 'Living Planet Report 2020' by World Wildlife Fund (WWF) identified land and sea use change and overexploitation of resources as the key drivers of biodiversity loss across the globe

No mining within 1 km of protected forests, orders Supreme Court

'The Chief Conservator of Forests should make a list of existing structures under the sensitive zone and submit the report to the court within three months,' the bench said

Goa govt to develop eco-tourism in forest areas, parks: Vishwajit Rane

Rane on Friday said that discussions were held with officials of the forest department for the development of eco-tourism and to improve infrastructure in wildlife sanctuaries in the state

First wildlife bond issued by World Bank to save Africa's black rhino

The World Bank said it has priced the world's first wildlife bond, raising $150 million that will be partly used for the conservation of black rhinos in South Africa

What is driving heatwaves in Antarctica, Arctic & their impact on wildlife

Record-breaking heatwaves hit both Antarctica and the Arctic simultaneously this week, with temperatures reaching 47 degree C and 30 degree C higher than normal.

Jio not to pursue tower installation project inside Gir, Girnar sanctuaries

Reliance Jio Infocomm has conveyed its decision not to pursue its project to intsall telecom towers inside Gir and Girnar wildlife sanctuaries, Parliament was informed on Wednesday.

Covid in wildlife threatens emergence of new virus variant: WHO

The introduction of SARS-CoV-2 to wildlife could result in the establishment of animal reservoirs, which may, result in the emergence of a new virus variant, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said

Wildlife Protection (Amendment) Bill poorly drafted: Jairam Ramesh

Ramesh, who heads the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment, Forest and Climate Change, said he is overwhelmed by the over 70 responses received from experts

Wildlife forensic lab will become operational shortly: TN govt to HC

The Madras High Court has been informed that the Wildlife Forensic Laboratory (WFL) will become operational shortly in Tamil Nadu.