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Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, while introducing 'Action Plan for Introduction of Cheetah in India’, said in January that the government is keen on the protection and conservation of seven major big cats, including the cheetah. “Project Cheetah aims to bring back independent India’s only extinct large mammal – the cheetah. As part of the project, 50 cheetahs will be introduced in various National Parks over five years,” he said.
It has become an issue of national pride, as India has been home to all these big cats like tigers, lions and cheetahs. But bringing the cheetah to Kuno has also raised several questions over India’s conservation strategies, as, despite court orders, translocation of lions has not happened yet.
While India’s efforts in the conservation of the tiger have been commended, as it has successfully doubled its population, challenges related to the conservation of various other animal species are calling for reconsideration of India’s policies. One big challenge is the destruction of animal habitats due to encroachment of forest land, which is engendering man-animal conflicts, revenge killing of carnivore animals and poaching. Another challenge is roadkill, resulting in the deaths of many small wildlife animals.