Cheetah Controversy: Village Incident Sparks Debate Over Project Cheetah

A female cheetah and her four cubs faced aggression when villagers threw stones while they tried hunting near a village in Madhya Pradesh. This incident raises concerns about the implementation of Project Cheetah, with wildlife activists questioning the authorities' efforts to ensure coexistence with local communities.

A female cheetah and her four cubs were attacked with stones by villagers in Madhya Pradesh, prompting an outcry among conservationists about Project Cheetah's efficacy. The cheetahs, introduced from Africa to repopulate the species, were attempting to hunt a calf on the village outskirts.

The confrontation occurred near Sheopur district's Behardha village, where the cheetahs retreated into the forest after the commotion, under the supervision of a monitoring team. Despite the disturbance, all five cheetahs remained unharmed. Officials advised villagers to allow these animals to pass freely, emphasizing compensation for any livestock killed.

The incident has reignited debate over the project's success, with critics like wildlife activist Ajay Dubey describing it as a failure. The project, initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2022, has reintroduced 20 African cheetahs to India's Kuno National Park. However, lingering challenges with community acceptance and conservation procedures persist.

(With inputs from agencies.)