Madhya Pradesh: WII starts survey of Kuno sanctuary

BHOPAL: Experts from Wildlife Institute of India (WII) have initiated a detailed survey of Kuno wildlife sanctuary for implementation of the Cheetah project. The study would last in a month or may take more time, say sources.
WII had in its earlier report concluded that cheetahs can be reintroduced at all the surveyed sites in Madhya Pradesh with appropriate ‘investments’ — some more than others — and management.Kuno National Park is “ready” for immediate reintroduction, with the least investment needed, WII had observed.
It was also chosen for the Gir lion translocation earlier. Some sites have the potential to achieve the full range of objectives for the cheetah reintroduction project, says a technical note by the experts.
Kuno and Gandhi Sagar-Chittorgarh-Bhainsrodgarh wildlife sanctuary (WLS) in Rajasthan, with parts of Mukundara tiger reserve landscape, adequately meet the criteria for introduction. The Gandhi Sagar-Bhainsrodgarh landscape requires concurrence by the governments of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan and investment in terms of prey supplementation and protection, it says.
“Nauradehi wildlife sanctuary has very high potential, initially for housing a fenced population and later for becoming a free-ranging population as well. Investments required here are for fencing and prey restoration,” the report says.
Insiders however say the that centre was keen on shifting this project to Rajasthan considering its ready to shift enclosures.