High-level team probes cheetah’s death in Kuno National Park: UPSC & PCS focus

28 Oct High-level team probes cheetah’s death in Kuno National Park: UPSC & PCS focus

✎ The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, under Section 9, criminalises the use of firearms and hunting in protected areas, mandating stringent penalties to safeguard reintroduced species like the cheetah under Project Cheetah.

Subject Relevance — Where This Topic Fits

• GS Paper III — Environment, Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change
• Prelims: Project Cheetah, Kuno National Park, National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), Cheetah reintroduction programme, Section 9 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, Invasive alien species, IUCN Red List
• Essay: Conservation ethics and the role of science in policy-making, Balancing development and ecological integrity: lessons from megafauna reintroduction

Quick Revision: The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, under Section 9, criminalises the use of firearms and hunting in protected areas, mandating stringent penalties to safeguard reintroduced species like the cheetah under Project Cheetah.

Why is this in the news?

The death of a reintroduced cheetah (KNG22) at Kuno National Park due to firearm pellet injuries has necessitated a high-level central investigation led by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). The incident underscores critical vulnerabilities in the protection protocols for the endangered species under Project Cheetah, prompting an urgent review of enforcement mechanisms, inter-agency coordination, and the legal framework governing wildlife crime in India.

Background

• Project Cheetah, launched in 2022, is India’s flagship initiative to reintroduce the African cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) into the wild, following the species’ extinction in the country in the 1950s.
• The reintroduction is being implemented under the aegis of the Supreme Court of India, which in 2020 permitted the translocation of cheetahs from Namibia and South Africa to suitable habitats in India, including Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh.
• Kuno National Park was selected as the primary site due to its ecological suitability, prey availability, and relatively low human disturbance, aligning with the IUCN guidelines for species reintroduction.
• The project is co-managed by the MoEFCC, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), and state forest departments, with technical support from international conservation bodies.
• India’s wildlife protection regime is governed by the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, which criminalises poaching, hunting, and the use of firearms in protected areas, with stringent penalties under Section 9.
• The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), established in 2008, is the nodal agency for combating wildlife crime in India, operating under the MoEFCC and coordinating with state agencies for enforcement and intelligence-led operations.

What is Project Cheetah and the Institutional Framework Governing its Implementation?

• Project Cheetah is a species reintroduction programme aimed at restoring the cheetah population in India through the translocation of African cheetahs from Namibia and South Africa, with the first batch arriving in September 2022.
• The project is guided by the IUCN Guidelines for Reintroductions and Other Conservation Translocations (2013), which emphasise ecological suitability, genetic diversity, and long-term viability of the reintroduced population.
• Kuno National Park, a 748 sq km protected area in Madhya Pradesh, was designated as the primary habitat due to its grassland-savanna mosaic ecosystem, which mimics the cheetah’s natural habitat in Africa.
• The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) serves as the nodal authority for Project Cheetah, overseeing coordination between central and state agencies, monitoring the health of the cheetah population, and ensuring compliance with conservation protocols.
• The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) provides scientific and technical support, including habitat assessment, prey base estimation, and veterinary care for the cheetahs, in collaboration with international experts.
• The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) is responsible for investigating wildlife crimes, including poaching and illegal hunting, and works with state forest departments to enforce the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
• The project includes a dedicated monitoring framework involving GPS collars, camera traps, and regular health assessments to track the cheetahs’ adaptation, movement, and survival rates.
• The legal framework governing Project Cheetah includes the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, which prohibits the use of firearms and hunting in protected areas, with penalties ranging from imprisonment to heavy fines under Section 51 and Section 9.

Key Features

Feature	Significance
High-level central investigation team	Ensures impartial, multi-agency scrutiny of wildlife crime under Project Cheetah, reinforcing Centre-state coordination.
Project Cheetah (2022)	Reintroduction of cheetahs in India after near-extinction; part of global conservation efforts under IUCN guidelines.
Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB)	Specialised agency for wildlife crime prevention, investigation, and prosecution under MoEFCC.
Madhya Pradesh Forest Department’s Special Task Force	State-level rapid response mechanism integrating forest and police officials for incident-specific investigations.
Veterinary emergency protocols	Critical for survival of injured wildlife; includes surgical intervention, intensive care, and post-mortem analysis for forensic evidence.

Why it Matters

Ecological Conservation

• Reintroduction of cheetahs in India is a flagship initiative under the IUCN’s Global Cheetah Action Plan, aiming to restore ecological balance in grassland ecosystems.
• Kuno National Park is part of the Asiatic lion’s historical range, and cheetah reintroduction aligns with India’s commitment to biodiversity restoration.
• The death underscores the vulnerability of reintroduced species to anthropogenic threats, necessitating robust protection frameworks.
• Conservation success depends on interspecies coexistence, habitat security, and mitigation of human-wildlife conflict in buffer zones.

Institutional Governance

• The Centre’s intervention demonstrates the constitutional role of the Union in wildlife protection under the Seventh Schedule (State List, Entry 17: Forests and protection of wild animals; Concurrent List, Entry 17A: Forests).
• The NTCA’s involvement highlights the integration of tiger and cheetah conservation under a unified institutional framework.
• The WCCB’s inclusion ensures adherence to the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and international conventions like CITES.

Legal and Ethical Imperatives

• The incident raises questions about enforcement of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, particularly Section 9 (prohibition of hunting) and Section 51 (penalties for offences).
• Ethical considerations include the moral responsibility of the state to protect endangered species reintroduced under international agreements.
• The investigation must balance rapid action with due process to avoid miscarriages of justice in wildlife crime cases.

Challenges

1. Anthropogenic Threats to Wildlife

• Poaching and illegal hunting persist despite legal protections, driven by demand for body parts or perceived threats to livestock.
• Human encroachment into wildlife habitats increases conflict, particularly in buffer zones around protected areas.
• Inadequate community engagement and awareness exacerbate risks to reintroduced species like cheetahs.

UPSC Link: GS3: Environmental Conservation

2. Institutional Coordination Gaps

• Centre-state collaboration in wildlife protection requires seamless data sharing and joint enforcement mechanisms.
• Delays in investigation and prosecution undermine deterrence against wildlife crimes.
• Fragmented monitoring systems across agencies (forest, police, veterinary) hinder real-time threat detection.

UPSC Link: GS2: Centre-State Relations

3. Vulnerability of Reintroduced Species

• Reintroduced species face higher mortality risks due to unfamiliarity with new habitats and lack of natural predator avoidance instincts.
• Health monitoring protocols for reintroduced animals must be stringent but flexible to adapt to local conditions.
• Climate change and habitat degradation further stress reintroduced populations, increasing susceptibility to diseases and injuries.

UPSC Link: GS3: Biodiversity

4. Forensic and Investigative Challenges

• Recovery of firearm pellets from a wild animal requires specialised veterinary and forensic expertise.
• Proving intent in wildlife crime cases is complex, often relying on circumstantial evidence and pattern analysis.
• Delays in post-mortem and evidence collection can compromise the integrity of investigations.

UPSC Link: GS3: Science & Technology

5. Public Perception and Trust

• Incidents of wildlife mortality erode public confidence in conservation programmes, particularly among local communities.
• Misinformation and sensationalism in media can distort public understanding of conservation challenges.
• Transparent communication from authorities is essential to maintain stakeholder trust.

UPSC Link: GS4: Ethics

6. Resource Allocation and Capacity Building

• Wildlife protection agencies often face shortages of trained personnel, equipment, and infrastructure.
• Inadequate funding for veterinary facilities and emergency response systems limits effective intervention.
• Capacity building for forest staff, veterinarians, and law enforcement is critical for long-term conservation.

UPSC Link: GS3: Resource Management

Challenges — UPSC Perspective

Issue	Concern
Poaching and illegal hunting	Persistent threat despite legal protections; driven by demand for body parts or perceived threats to livelihoods.
Human-wildlife conflict	Encroachment into habitats increases interactions, leading to retaliatory killings or accidental injuries.
Inadequate enforcement of wildlife laws	Weak on-ground monitoring, delayed prosecutions, and insufficient deterrence against offenders.
Climate change impacts	Altered habitats and resource scarcity increase stress on reintroduced species, reducing survival rates.
Community engagement deficits	Lack of awareness and participation among local communities undermines conservation efforts.
Forensic limitations	Shortages of specialised veterinary and forensic resources delay investigations and evidence collection.

Way Forward

• Conduct a comprehensive audit of protection protocols in Kuno National Park, including perimeter security, patrol routes, and surveillance technologies.
• Strengthen inter-agency coordination by establishing a real-time communication network between the Centre, state authorities, and WCCB.
• Enhance community outreach programmes to educate local populations on the ecological importance of cheetahs and reporting mechanisms for wildlife crimes.
• Invest in veterinary infrastructure and capacity building for emergency wildlife care, including mobile veterinary units for rapid response.
• Implement stricter monitoring of buffer zones through satellite imagery, drones, and community-based surveillance to detect threats early.
• Review and update the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, to align with contemporary conservation needs and international best practices.
• Develop a national protocol for wildlife crime investigations, including standardised forensic procedures and timelines for prosecution.
• Promote research on cheetah behaviour and habitat preferences to inform adaptive management strategies for reintroduction programmes.

UPSC Value Addition

Prelims Practice Questions

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972:
1. The Act provides for the constitution of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
2. The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) is mandated under the Act to combat organised wildlife crime.
3. The Act prohibits the hunting of wild animals except under certain specified conditions.
4. The Act does not apply to the protection of cheetahs in India as they are not native to the country.
How many of the above statements are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. All

Answer: Only three — Statements 1, 2, and 3 are correct as per the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Statement 4 is incorrect because the Act applies to all wild animals, including reintroduced species like cheetahs.

Q2. Assertion (A): The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Reason (R): The NTCA was constituted under the provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 to strengthen tiger conservation.
Options:
A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
B. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
C. A is true, but R is false.
D. A is false, but R is true.

Answer: ? — Both the Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and R correctly explains A. The NTCA is indeed a statutory body constituted under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

Q3. Match the following institutions with their respective roles in wildlife conservation:

Column I
1. National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)
2. Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB)
3. Project Tiger
4. Project Cheetah

Column II
A. Reintroduction of cheetahs in India
B. Investigation and prevention of wildlife crimes
C. Conservation of tigers in India
D. Monitoring and protection of tiger reserves

Options:
1. 1-D, 2-B, 3-C, 4-A
2. 1-C, 2-D, 3-B, 4-A
3. 1-B, 2-A, 3-D, 4-C
4. 1-A, 2-C, 3-B, 4-D

Answer: ? — 1-D (NTCA monitors and protects tiger reserves), 2-B (WCCB investigates wildlife crimes), 3-C (Project Tiger focuses on tiger conservation), 4-A (Project Cheetah focuses on cheetah reintroduction).

Mains Practice Question

✍ The death of a reintroduced cheetah in Kuno National Park due to firearm pellet injuries has raised concerns about the efficacy of wildlife protection mechanisms in India. Critically examine the institutional and legal framework governing wildlife conservation in India, with particular reference to the role of central and state agencies. Also, suggest measures to strengthen the protection of reintroduced species like cheetahs. (15 Marks)

Approach: MODEL-ANSWER SKELETON:

1. **Introduction (2 marks)**: Briefly introduce Project Cheetah, Kuno National Park, and the incident. State the objective of the question.

2. **Legal Framework (4 marks)**:
– Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Provisions for protection of wild animals, hunting restrictions, and penalties.
– Schedule I species and their protection status.
– Role of the Central Government in wildlife conservation (Entry 17, List I, Seventh Schedule).
– International obligations: CITES and IUCN guidelines.

3. **Institutional Framework (5 marks)**:
– National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA): Statutory body under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972; role in tiger conservation.
– Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB): Mandate to combat organised wildlife crime; coordination with state agencies.
– Role of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in policy formulation and monitoring.
– State agencies: Madhya Pradesh Forest Department and Special Task Force (STF) in the given case.
– Coordination mechanisms between central and state agencies.

4. **Challenges (2 marks)**:
– Gaps in implementation: Inadequate patrolling, human-wildlife conflict, and poaching.
– Lack of specialised training for forest staff in handling reintroduced species.
– Weak inter-agency coordination.

5. **Measures to Strengthen Protection (2 marks)**:
– Enhancing patrolling and surveillance in and around protected areas.
– Capacity building for forest staff and veterinary teams.
– Strengthening the WCCB and NTCA with more resources and autonomy.
– Community engagement and awareness programs to reduce human-wildlife conflict.
– Technological interventions: Use of drones, GPS collaring, and AI-based monitoring.

6. **Conclusion (2 marks)**: Summarise the need for a robust legal and institutional framework to ensure the success of wildlife conservation programmes like Project Cheetah.

Source: orissapost.com

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