Cheetah Action Plan- Translocation in 2022.

Why in news?

• In the backdrop of Indian delegation visiting Namibia, the Cheetah capital of the world, grounds are being prepared for appointing Namibian cheetahs as the country’s goodwill ambassadors for India’s 75th year of Independence.
• Background- Supreme Court lifted its seven-year stay on a proposal to Introduce African cheetahs from Namibia into the Indian habitat on an experimental basis.
• In 2013, SC had rejected this owing to lion translocation in the same Kuno-Palpur sanctuary and doubt of lack of prey base for Cheetah.
• Also, an ‘Action plan for Introduction of Cheetah in India was launched to Introduce 50 Cheetahs over 5 years.

About Cheetah Reintroduction

• African Cheetahs (IUCN status: Vulnerable), are being considered for reintroduction as Asiatic Cheetah (IUCN: critically endangered) are low in numbers which is known to occur only in Iran now.
• Cheetah is a keystone species of dry forests, scrub forests, and savannahs.
• It was declared extinct in India in 1952 due to over-hunting and loss of habitat.
• It is also the world’s fastest land mammal.
• Part of Appendix 1 of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).