Cheetahs, brought from Namibia, were introduced in India to which one of the following National Parks?

1. Protected Area Networks: National Parks & Sanctuaries (basic)

Welcome to your first step in mastering biodiversity conservation! To understand how we save threatened species, we must first look at their 'fortresses' — the Protected Area Network (PAN). In India, these areas are primarily governed by the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (WPA). Before this Act, India had only five National Parks; today, the network has expanded to cover nearly 5% of our geographical area, providing a safe haven for thousands of species Environment, Shankar IAS Academy, Chapter 16, p.213.

The two most vital pillars of this network are National Parks (NPs) and Wildlife Sanctuaries (WLS). While they might seem similar, they differ significantly in their degree of protection and core objectives. A National Park is like a 'strict sanctuary' where the focus is on protecting the entire ecosystem — the landscape, flora, and fauna together. In contrast, a Wildlife Sanctuary is often created to protect a particular species, such as the Grizzled Giant Squirrel in Srivalliputhur Environment, Shankar IAS Academy, Chapter 16, p.213 or the turtles at Bhitarkanika Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain, BIODIVERSITY, p.32.

Feature	National Park	Wildlife Sanctuary
Degree of Protection	Greater; very high level of protection.	Lower; relatively less compared to NPs.
Human Activity	Prohibited (no grazing of livestock allowed).	Regulated (limited grazing/hunting may be allowed with permission).
Focus	Whole ecosystem/multiple species.	Often focused on a specific species.
Boundaries	Fixed by legislation; very hard to alter.	Boundaries are not as strictly defined.

A contemporary example of this protection in action is Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh. Chosen for its suitable grassland ecosystem, it became the site for the historic 'Project Cheetah' in 2022, where cheetahs were translocated from Namibia and South Africa to re-establish the species in India Environment, Shankar IAS Academy, Chapter 16, p.242. The status of 'National Park' ensures that these cheetahs live in a highly protected environment free from human interference like livestock grazing, which is crucial for a large carnivore's survival.

Sources: Environment, Shankar IAS Academy, Protected Area Network, p.213; Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain, BIODIVERSITY, p.32; Environment, Shankar IAS Academy, Conservation Efforts, p.242

2. Legal Framework: Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (basic)

To understand how India protects its most vulnerable species, we must start with the Wildlife (Protection) Act (WPA), 1972. Before this landmark legislation, wildlife laws in India were a fragmented collection of state-level rules dating back to the late 19th century. The WPA 1972 was a game-changer because it established a uniform legal framework across the country, shifting the focus from 'managing' wildlife for sport to 'protecting' it for conservation Environment, Shankar IAS Academy, Chapter 16, p.211. Interestingly, when the Act was passed, 'Wildlife' was a State subject; the Central Parliament had to use special constitutional provisions to create this national law, effectively centralizing the authority to protect India’s natural heritage. At the heart of the Act is a system of Schedules. Think of these as 'protection tiers' based on how much a species is at risk. For many years, the Act utilized six schedules to categorize fauna and flora. Animals listed in Schedule I (like the Tiger or the Lion-tailed Macaque) receive absolute protection, and offenses against them attract the highest penalties. In contrast, Schedule V historically listed 'vermin'—animals that could be hunted under specific conditions—though recent legal shifts have significantly restricted the power of State Governments to declare animals as vermin Environment, Shankar IAS Academy, Chapter 16, p.212. Beyond just listing species, the WPA 1972 provides the 'legal teeth' for habitat conservation. It empowers the government to declare and manage Protected Areas, such as National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain, Biodiversity and Legislations, p.13. This is vital for threatened species because it allows the state to prohibit human activities—like hunting, poaching, or commercial exploitation—within the boundaries where these animals live.

Sources: Environment, Shankar IAS Academy, Chapter 16: Conservation Efforts, p.211; Environment, Shankar IAS Academy, Chapter 16: Conservation Efforts, p.212; Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain, Biodiversity and Legislations, p.13; Environment, Shankar IAS Academy, Chapter 16: Conservation Efforts, p.171

3. Conservation Strategies: In-situ vs. Ex-situ (intermediate)

When we talk about protecting biodiversity, we look at it through two primary lenses: In-situ (on-site) and Ex-situ (off-site) conservation. Think of In-situ as protecting the "home" along with the resident, while Ex-situ is like moving the resident to a "safe house" or a "bank" when the home is no longer safe.

In-situ conservation involves protecting plants and animals within their natural habitats Shankar IAS Academy, Biodiversity, p.146. This is the gold standard of conservation because it protects not just one species, but the entire ecosystem and the evolutionary processes that happen within it. Examples include National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, and Biosphere Reserves. However, sometimes a habitat becomes so degraded or the population so small that In-situ conservation is no longer enough Majid Hussain, Biodiversity, p.30. In such critical cases, we turn to Ex-situ conservation—conserving biodiversity outside their natural areas in controlled environments like Zoological Parks, Botanical Gardens, or Seed Banks.

A fascinating bridge between these two is reintroduction. This is when an animal or plant is brought back from an ex-situ setting (like a breeding center) and released into a habitat where it had gone extinct. For instance, the Gangetic gharial was reintroduced into rivers in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh where it had previously vanished Shankar IAS Academy, Biodiversity, p.146. More recently, India's Project Cheetah represents a historic milestone: the world's first intercontinental large wild carnivore translocation. Cheetahs, declared extinct in India in 1952, were brought from Namibia and South Africa to be re-established in Kuno National Park Shankar IAS Academy, Conservation Efforts, p.242. This effort blends both strategies: the cats are managed closely (Ex-situ principles) with the ultimate goal of establishing a wild, self-sustaining population (In-situ goal).

Feature	In-situ Conservation	Ex-situ Conservation
Location	Within natural habitat.	Outside natural habitat.
Focus	Ecosystem and community.	Target species or genetic material.
Examples	National Parks, Sanctuaries.	Zoos, Seed Banks, Cryopreservation.

Sources: Environment, Shankar IAS Academy, Biodiversity, p.146; Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain, Biodiversity, p.30; Environment, Shankar IAS Academy, Conservation Efforts, p.242

4. Governance: NTCA and Wildlife Institute of India (intermediate)

To understand how India protects its most threatened species, we must look at the governance architecture that turns policy into action. At the heart of this is the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (WPA), which provides the legal 'teeth' for conservation. It establishes the framework for protecting endangered species and managing National Parks and Sanctuaries NCERT Class XI India Physical Environment, Natural Vegetation, p.47. However, as conservation needs became more specialized, the law evolved to create dedicated statutory bodies like the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).

The NTCA was established following the 2006 Amendment to the WPA. It is a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) tasked with strengthening tiger conservation and overseeing Project Tiger. A key governance nuance to remember is the federal cooperation: while the Central Government (via NTCA) provides recommendations and funding, the State Government is the authority that actually notifies an area as a Tiger Reserve Shankar IAS, Conservation Efforts, p.227-228. This synergy ensures that local administrative power meets national conservation standards.

While the NTCA handles the administrative and legal oversight, the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) acts as the 'scientific brain.' Based in Dehradun, the WII is an autonomous institution that conducts high-level research and feasibility studies. For instance, when India planned the world's first intercontinental large carnivore translocation—the Cheetah reintroduction—it was the scientific assessment of the WII, combined with the administrative backing of the NTCA, that determined Kuno National Park was the most suitable site. It is also important to distinguish these government bodies from NGOs like the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), which works in partnership with the government on species rehabilitation but lacks statutory power Shankar IAS, Environmental Organizations, p.385.

Feature	National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)	Wildlife Institute of India (WII)
Nature	Statutory Body (created by law)	Autonomous Research Institution
Primary Role	Governance, policy implementation, and notifying reserves.	Scientific research, training, and feasibility studies.
Legal Basis	Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (as amended in 2006).	Established by MoEFCC for academic/technical support.

Sources: NCERT Class XI India Physical Environment, Natural Vegetation, p.47; Shankar IAS Academy (10th ed.), Conservation Efforts, p.227-228; Shankar IAS Academy (10th ed.), Environmental Organizations, p.385

5. Other Mega-Fauna Translocation Projects (intermediate)

Translocation is the deliberate movement of wild animals from one natural habitat to another for conservation purposes. While traditional conservation focuses on protecting species where they already exist, Mega-Fauna translocation is a proactive strategy used to re-establish species in their former range, increase genetic diversity, or create 'insurance populations' to prevent extinction from localized disasters like floods or disease outbreaks.

One of the most ambitious examples is Project Cheetah, which marked the world's first intercontinental large wild carnivore translocation. In September 2022, eight African cheetahs were brought from Namibia to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh to restore the species in India after its 1952 extinction. This was followed by another twelve cheetahs from South Africa in 2023. Kuno was selected after rigorous feasibility studies by the Wildlife Institute of India and the National Tiger Conservation Authority, though other sites like Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary are being prepared for future phases. Environment, Shankar IAS Academy, Conservation Efforts, p.242

Another landmark initiative is the Indian Rhino Vision 2020 (IRV 2020). Implemented by the Assam Forest Department with the Bodo Autonomous Council and international partners like WWF, its primary goal was to increase the rhino population to 3,000 and distribute them across seven protected areas in Assam. This strategy reduces the risk of having the entire population concentrated in one area like Kaziranga, which is prone to heavy flooding. The seven areas include Dibru Saikhowa, Kaziranga, Laokhowa-Bura Chapori, Manas, Pobitora, Sonai Rupai, and the Sundarban Biosphere Reserve. Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain, BIODIVERSITY, p.47

Project	Target Species	Primary Goal
Project Cheetah	African Cheetah	Re-introduction of an extinct species to restore grassland ecosystems.
IRV 2020	One-horned Rhino	Population expansion and range distribution across Assam.
Project Tiger	Bengal Tiger	Maintenance of viable populations; India now hosts ~75% of world population.

Sources: Environment, Shankar IAS Academy, Conservation Efforts, p.242; Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain, BIODIVERSITY, p.47; Environment, Shankar IAS Academy, Conservation Efforts, p.230

6. Comparing Cheetahs: Asiatic vs. African (exam-level)

To understand the conservation of cheetahs in India, we must first distinguish between the two surviving subspecies: the Asiatic Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus) and the African Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus). Historically, the Asiatic cheetah roamed across Indian grasslands, but it was officially declared extinct in India in 1952 due to over-hunting, habitat loss, and a declining prey base Environment, Shankar IAS Academy, Conservation Efforts, p.242. Today, the Asiatic variety survives only in Iran, with a tiny population of fewer than 50 individuals, making it one of the most endangered felines on Earth.

Because the Iranian population is too fragile to support a reintroduction program, India launched 'Project Cheetah', the world's first intercontinental large wild carnivore translocation. This project aims to restore India’s open forest and grassland ecosystems by introducing African cheetahs into Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh Environment, Shankar IAS Academy, Conservation Efforts, p.242. While they belong to the same species, there are distinct physical and conservation differences between the two subspecies that you should master for the exam.

Feature	Asiatic Cheetah	African Cheetah
IUCN Status	Critically Endangered Environment, Shankar IAS Academy, Biodiversity, p.147	Vulnerable
Physical Size	Slightly smaller and paler	Slightly larger with sturdier builds
Current Habitat	Only in Iran (Extinct in India) Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain, BIODIVERSITY, p.11	Widely distributed across Africa
Coat/Fur	Thicker fur, more prominent neck ruff	Shorter fur, more varied spot patterns

The reintroduction began in earnest on September 17, 2022, when eight cheetahs from Namibia were released into Kuno, followed by twelve more from South Africa in February 2023 Environment, Shankar IAS Academy, Conservation Efforts, p.242. While Kuno is the primary site, other areas like the Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary and Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh have been identified as potential future habitats to ensure a meta-population can thrive in the wild.

Sources: Environment, Shankar IAS Academy, Conservation Efforts, p.242; Environment, Shankar IAS Academy, Biodiversity, p.147; Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain, BIODIVERSITY, p.11

7. Project Cheetah: Site Selection & Logistics (exam-level)

The reintroduction of the cheetah to India, known as Project Cheetah, represents the world’s first intercontinental large wild carnivore translocation. This ambitious project was not a sudden decision but the result of decades of planning and scientific assessment. Following the species' official extinction in India in 1952, the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) conducted feasibility studies to identify habitats that could support a viable cheetah population. The primary criteria for site selection included prey availability (such as Chital and Nilgai), habitat connectivity, and minimal human-wildlife conflict potential Environment, Shankar IAS Academy, Chapter 16, p. 242.

Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh was selected as the launch site because of its suitable landscape and successful history of village relocation, which reduced human pressure on the core area. The logistics involved two major phases of translocation: the first batch of eight cheetahs arrived from Namibia in September 2022, followed by a second batch of twelve cheetahs from South Africa in February 2023. This staggered approach allows for better monitoring and management of the animals as they acclimatize to the Indian subcontinent's climate and prey Environment, Shankar IAS Academy, Chapter 16, p. 242.

While Kuno is the initial focus, the project envisions a metapopulation management strategy across multiple sites to ensure long-term genetic diversity and survival. Several other sites have been identified for future conservation breeding and release to prevent all animals from being concentrated in a single geographic location:

• Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary (Madhya Pradesh) – Prepared as the second home for cheetahs.
• Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary (Madhya Pradesh).
• Shahgarh Bulge (Rajasthan) – A unique open desert-like habitat.
• Mukundara Tiger Reserve (Rajasthan).

This conservation effort aligns with the broader goals of the National Wildlife Action Plan (NWAP), which emphasizes biodiversity conservation and the restoration of lost ecosystem components to maintain ecological balance Environment, Shankar IAS Academy, Chapter 16, p. 247.

Sources: Environment, Shankar IAS Academy, Chapter 16: Conservation Efforts, p.242; Environment, Shankar IAS Academy, Chapter 16: Conservation Efforts, p.247

8. Solving the Original PYQ (exam-level)

You have just mastered the concepts of species reintroduction and conservation strategies. This question is a direct application of those building blocks, specifically focusing on Project Cheetah—the world’s first intercontinental large wild carnivore translocation. After the Asiatic Cheetah was declared extinct in India in 1952, the government sought to restore the ecological balance by introducing the African subspecies. As you learned in the module on habitat suitability, the success of such a project hinges on selecting a landscape that mirrors the source environment; the semi-arid grasslands of Namibia found their match in the scrub forests of central India.

To reach the correct answer, (D) Kuno National Park, you must connect the dots between environmental policy and geography. In September 2022, eight cheetahs were released into Kuno in Madhya Pradesh, a site chosen by the Wildlife Institute of India for its low human density and abundant prey base. When analyzing this question, always look for the specific timeline and the source country, as these details help distinguish between the initial Namibian batch and subsequent South African translocations. This logical progression from policy (reintroduction) to site selection (Kuno) is exactly how UPSC expects you to synthesize your knowledge.

UPSC frequently uses "distractor" options that are ecologically famous but irrelevant to the specific species. Kaziranga National Park is a trap designed to test your knowledge of habitats; it is a swampy grassland famous for the One-horned Rhino, which is the opposite of a cheetah's preferred terrain. Similarly, Keoladeo Ghana is a wetland sanctuary for birds, and Keibul Lamjao is a floating park in Manipur for the Sangai deer. By eliminating these sites based on their distinct ecosystem types, you can confidently confirm that only Kuno fits the requirements for a savannah predator. Environment, Shankar IAS Academy and PIB Press Release.