New Delhi, 27 January: South Africa and India have signed an MoU on Cheetahs. As per the agreement, 12 cheetahs will be brought to India during February. All these would be among the eight cheetahs brought to India from Namibia last year. Eight cheetahs brought from Namibia to India have been brought to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh.
According to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, an inter-governmental agreement has been completed to reintroduce cheetahs from South Africa to India. After bringing 12 cheetahs in February, there is a plan to bring 12 cheetahs annually for the next eight to ten years.
According to the ministry, restoring the cheetah population is a priority for India and will have significant and far-reaching conservation consequences.
The MoU facilitates cooperation between the two parties to create a viable and secure cheetah population in India and promote conservation. The terms of the MoU will be reviewed every five years to check their relevance.
