Context: While the Gandhi Sagar sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh is the preferred location for the next lot of imports, Banni in Gujarat is also getting readied to house some of the big cats to land in India.
Key Facts about reintroduction in Banni grassland
- Considered a potential habitat for cheetahs for over a decade.
- Basic infrastructure being set up in Banni to accommodate cheetahs.
- Gujarat government preparing suitable enclosures for breeding and conservation.
- Current prey species include chinkara and blackbuck, insufficient to sustain cheetah population.
- Plans to introduce chital to support cheetahs in Banni's ecosystem.
- Comparison with Other Locations
- Gandhi Sagar sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh preferred for next cheetah imports.
- Banni offers more space than Kuno and Gandhi Sagar but faces prey availability challenges.
- Long-Term Viability
- Absence of leopards in Banni considered advantageous for sustaining cheetah population.
- Long-term plan includes gradual increase in cheetah population with adequate prey availability.
- Current Status
- 13 adult cheetahs and 13 cubs currently housed in Kuno reserve.
- All cheetahs expected to be released into the wild by October.
- Challenges and Considerations
- Previous challenges include infections and acclimatization issues leading to fatalities.
- Continuous monitoring and management crucial for successful reintroduction and breeding.
Key facts related to Banni grassland reserve:
- Location and Area
- Located on the outer southern edge of the Rann of Kutch in Kutch District, Gujarat, India.
- Formed from sediment deposits by the Indus and other rivers over millennia.
- Protected Status and Management
- Declared a protected forest in May 1955 under the Indian Forest Act, 1927.
- Currently managed by Gujarat State’s Forest department.
- Recent proposals for a special management plan to restore and conserve the ecosystem.
- Vegetation
- Sparse vegetation dependent on annual variations in rainfall.
- Dominated by low-growing forbs, graminoids, and halophiles (salt-tolerant plants).
- Tree cover includes Salvadora spp. and invasive Prosopis juliflora.
- Wildlife
- Diverse mammalian species such as nilgai, chinkara, blackbuck, wild boar, golden jackal, Indian hare, Indian wolf, caracal, Asiatic wildcat, and desert fox.
- Home to the increasing population of Indian wild ass (Equus hemionus khur).
- Rich avifauna with over 150 species of migratory and resident birds during good rainfall years.
- Human Settlements and Tribes
- Inhabited by Sindhi-speaking Maldhari (cattle breeders) tribes including Halaypotra, Hingora, Hingorja, Jat, and Mutwa.
- Villages within the grasslands contribute to the cultural landscape.
Key facts related to Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary
- The sanctuary is spread across an area of 368.62 sq km, in the districts of Mandsaur (187.12 sq km) and Neemuch (181.5 sq km) in western MP.
- It sits atop a flat rocky plateau, with the Chambal river cutting the sanctuary into two almost equal halves.
- It has Savanna ecosystem (comprising open grasslands interspersed with dry deciduous trees and shrubs.) due to shallow top soil.
- It has trees like Salai, Kardhai, Dhawda, Tendu, Palash etc.
- It is part of World famous Chaturbhuj Nala rock shelters.
- It is knowns for some rare wildlife species like Wild Dogs (Dholes), Chinkara, Leopard, Otter, Mugger crocodile.
