Madhya Pradesh (MP) government has announced that it has completed the preparation for the Cheetah’s translocation to GSWS.

• Translocation is under the Project Cheetah through which the first slots of 20 Cheetah’s were introduced in Kuno National Park (KNP) from Namibia and South Africa.

About GSWS 

• Located along the border between MP and Rajasthan, spanning over 368.62 sq. km. 
• River Chambal flows through the sanctuary and Gandhisagar dam lies within the sanctuary.
• Flora and Fauna: Arjauna and Jal jamun trees along with Panther, Nilgai, Chinkara, wolf etc. 

Factors behind selecting GSWS as Cheetahs Home

• Topography: Due to the rocky terrain and exposed sheetrock, the topsoil is shallow.
  • Topography also includes hills, plateaus, and river catchment areas.
• Ecosystem: GSWS has savanna ecosystem comprising open grasslands interspersed with dry deciduous trees and shrubs. However, Chambal valley is evergreen.

Challenges

• An insufficient prey base is still an issue in GSWS, much like it has been in (KNP).
• Leopard population in GSWS will pose a threat to cheetahs, they will compete for the same prey, and possibly even clashing with each other in wild encounters.