Sacrificing leopards for cheetahs in GSW may harm ecosystem: experts

The Gandhi Sagar Wildlife (GSW) Sanctuary in the Mandsaur district is preparing to welcome its new inhabitants– cheetahs. To make the new home for cheetahs a predator-free area, the leopards present in the sanctuary are being shifted to places like Omkareshwar of Khandwa and the Kheoni Wildlife Sanctuary of Dewas. So far, 17 leopards have been transferred. However, the transfer has brought criticism to the Madya Pradesh forest department because three out of 17 leopards died in territorial conflict within two to four months of transfer.

GSW is being prepared as the second home of  Cheetahs in the state, the first one being the Kuno National Park. The initiative is being done under the Cheetah Project. A project  by the Indian government to reintroduce cheetahs into the wild in India, particularly in Kuno National Park, after they were declared extinct in the country in 1952.

Following the leopard's death, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (APCCF) Wildlife L. Krishnamurthy sought clarification from the DFO. The DFO will have to respond within a week. This notice was issued after environmental activist Nitin Singhvi's complaint. 

However, a 150-hectare enclosure and a 64-square-kilometer predator-free area is being prepared for the cheetahs in Gandhi Sagar. The department believes that by removing the leopards and bringing in hundreds of prey animals, sufficient food can be ensured for the cheetahs.

But wildlife experts have criticized this move. They say that this will affect the ecological balance of the forest, whereas cheetahs and leopards can co-exist if sufficient prey is available. This is also confirmed by the Cheetah Action Plan Report prepared by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII).

Environmental activists' complaints

Chhattisgarh-based environment activist Nitin Singhvi wrote to the Union environment ministry and the Madhya Pradesh forest department, criticising the relocation. He demanded that the relocation of leopards be stopped. In his letter, he wrote:

“The leopards were relocated to make space for the cheetah project at GSW, but this move is against the welfare of leopards."

The central government's ‘Guidelines for Human-Leopard Conflict Management (2011)' clearly state that leopards have a strong homing instinct. Therefore, they should be released in the vicinity of their natural habitat, i.e. within their home range. According to the guidelines, captured leopards should be released within a radius of 10 km from the place of capture.

The original plan to import cheetahs never stated that it would displace or harm native cats (leopards).

Singhvi alleges that this relocation is endangering the lives of leopards, as evidenced by the death of three leopards.

The absence of leopards in large numbers will increase pressure on vegetation. Wildlife expert Ajay Dubey also considers this move harmful to the ecological balance of the forest. He says, 

"Leopards and leopards can coexist if there is sufficient prey base. Instead of removing leopards, the focus should be on increasing the prey population."

Wildlife experts say that leopards control the number of herbivorous animals in the forest, and their absence in large numbers can increase pressure on vegetation. According to them, this move is against the principles of conservation.

Environmental activist Rashid Noor Khan says that the removal of a top predator like a leopard can affect the food chain. If the number of herbivorous animals increases uncontrollably, vegetation may be damaged, affecting biodiversity.

Expressing concern, he adds,

"Sacrificing leopards to establish cheetahs may be detrimental to the health of the forest in the long run."

The unlikely return

Mandsaur DFO Sanjay Raikhede, shared an interesting fact: a translocated leopard returned to its original area by swimming across the Chambal River. After this, the forest department decided to send the leopards 350-400 km away, like Khivni and Omkareshwar, so that they could not return. This incident shows the regional loyalty of leopards and the complexities of translocation.

APCCF L Krishnamurthy said that under the Cheetah project, the government is preparing to bring cheetahs  from Kenya, South Africa and Botswana. There is a plan to develop a corridor of 2,500 square kilometers between Kunoand Gandhi Sagar, so that a permanent population of cheetahs can be established in the next 25 years. This is an ambitious step, which has to be implemented carefully.

The relocation of leopards from Gandhi Sagar is an attempt to make space for cheetahs, but the death of three leopards and criticism from experts make it controversial. The forest department is working towards increasing the prey base, but some concerns removing leopards will disturb the balance of the forest. A balanced approach and constant monitoring are necessary for the success of this project so that the conservation of cheetahs, as well as other wildlife, can be ensured. 

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