Latest news with #AshokVarnwal
Hindustan Times
29-07-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
South Africa pauses cheetah translocation after Kenya refuses to provide them
South Africa has paused fresh cheetah translocations to India until it reviews the health conditions of those previously translocated, following Kenya's refusal to provide them, officials said. Eight cheetahs were flown from Namibia in September 2022 and 12 from South Africa in February 2023. (PTI/Representative) India launched the cheetah reintroduction project in September 2022, years after the species was declared extinct in the country in 1947. Twenty cheetahs were brought to Madhya Pradesh's Kuno National Park. Eight were flown from Namibia in September 2022 and 12 from South Africa in February 2023. Officials said a three-member expert team, including a National Tiger Conservation Authority official, visited South Africa for discussions on the fresh translocation. They added the panel highlighted 'the success' of the previously translocated cheetahs in adapting to the wild at Kuno, their coexistence with leopards and nearby human populations after the release of 17 cheetahs in the wild. The panel explained the reason behind the deaths of cheetahs in the first year of introduction. An official said that the South African authorities cited 'inadequate communication' between the two governments, the deaths of cheetahs due to extreme weather, and the long captivity of wild cheetahs. Thobile Zulu-Molobi, a spokesperson for South Africa's forestry, fisheries, and environment department, said a minister will visit India to review previously translocated cheetahs individually before any further translocation. The spokesperson added that a decision will be made based on a scientific assessment of whether the translocation will negatively impact the survival of the species in the wild, whether they would survive in their new home, and a population viability analysis used to predict the likelihood that a species will avoid extinction over a specific period. Officials said South Africa's refusal to provide a second batch of cheetahs prompted India to approach Kenya. But environmentalists there opposed any such move, saying the introduction of a genetically distinct species violates International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) rules. Officials said the IUCN advised against introducing two subspecies into a translocation area, as such introduction can lead to genetic mixing and potential disruption of local adaptations. Madhya Pradesh additional chief secretary Ashok Varnwal said the Indian government decided against getting cheetahs from Kenya as it could disrupt the project due to genetic mixing. 'Now we will approach South Africa only for future translocations.' Officials said the expert panel proposed a direct communication system to streamline future interactions. They added that no formal application for the next batch of cheetahs was submitted to the South African authorities, as Indian officials want to first allay their doubts In May 2023, three cubs born to Namibian cheetah Jwala died due to extreme heat. A solar-powered water lift system was installed to protect the cheetah cubs from intense summer.
Hindustan Times
24-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
MP govt to partner with Vantara for gene mapping of tigers: Officials
The Madhya Pradesh government will soon sign an agreement with Vantara Wildlife Rescue Centre in Gujarat's Jamnagar for gene mapping of tigers in the state to track their death, especially in human tiger conflicts, officials said. Madhya Pradesh has a population of 785 from the previous 526 in 2019, according to 2024 tiger estimation data. (File photo) According to Ashok Varnwal, additional chief secretary (forest), Vantara will provide its 'scientific expertise' on gene mapping of wild animals. 'We will also have tiger experts from across the globe and scientists in preparing a database of gene mapping of tigers of MP for conservation, management and research purposes,' he added. The officials said that on direction of chief minister Mohan Yadav, a team of forest officers led by Varnwal visited Vantara a few days ago to explore possible collaboration for opening a wildlife rescue centres in Ujjain and Jabalpur. Also Read: State keen on Vantara-like project, writes to Anant Ambani He said for the rescue centre, the MP forest department has received in principle approval from the Central Zoo Authority. 'The work on ground will start after receiving a permission letter from Central Zoo Authority and the Supreme Court,' he added. Madhya Pradesh has a population of 785 from the previous 526 in 2019, according to 2024 tiger estimation data. With the increase in tiger numbers, the human-tiger conflict has risen by 40% in MP in the past five years. 'No state has any technology to identify the tiger after any human conflict,' a senior Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer said. Most states, he said, deploy camera traps in the conflict area to identify the tiger in case the animal comes back to check his prey. 'There are chances of error in capturing the wrong tiger,' he said, justifying the decision to conduct gene mapping. He added that the gene mapping will happen in finding the tiger responsible for the attack by matching saliva samples found on the human with the genetic pool of the database. Another IFS official said that gene mapping will also help in tracking tigers sent to other states to improve gene pool. The MP government is likely to send tigers to Odisha, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh for improving local gene pool and reducing inbreeding. 'Gene mapping helps in tracking the lineage and relationships among different tiger populations. It helps the scientists in assessing the genetic diversity among tiger populations, which is crucial for conservation,' the second officer said. A Mumbai based big cat expert, not willing to be named, said, 'Gene mapping will be a milestone if achieved. But how will it be possible to have gene mapping of all the tigers? How will they capture all tigers as every year 50-60 tigers die and in the same proportion new ones are born. Updating the data would be very tough.' MP-based wildlife activist Ajay Dubey said, 'How a rescue centre cum zoo will help mapping tigers of wild. This project would be a costly affair. We have WII and its qualified scientists too so why not we are taking their help.' Officials at the Vantara Wildlife Rescue Centre are yet to comment on the development adding that they will issue a statement once a formal announcement on the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) is made.
