In a recent statement issued by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), concerns were raised regarding the deaths of cheetahs in India. The NTCA’s remarks sparked a heated debate on the role of politics in conservation science, with prominent environmentalist and politician Jairam Ramesh emphasizing the need for a balanced approach.

According to the NTCA statement, six cheetahs, which were part of a conservation project aimed at reintroducing the species in India, have died under mysterious circumstances. The incident has raised questions about the effectiveness of the project and the measures in place to ensure the survival of these critically endangered animals.

While the NTCA expressed its commitment to investigating the cheetah deaths, Jairam Ramesh criticized the authority’s handling of the situation. Ramesh, a former Minister of Environment and Forests, highlighted the need for an impartial and scientific assessment of the deaths, urging authorities to avoid politicizing the issue.

Ramesh pointed out that the conservation of endangered species should not become a subject of political debate. Instead, it requires a collaborative effort involving scientific experts, wildlife enthusiasts, and policymakers. He stressed the importance of maintaining a balance between political interests and evidence-based conservation practices to ensure the long-term success of such projects.

The incident comes at a crucial time for India’s conservation efforts. The country has been striving to reintroduce cheetahs, which went extinct in India in the 1950s, through a carefully planned rewilding initiative. The project aims to bring cheetahs from African countries and reintroduce them into suitable habitats in India, with the goal of reestablishing a sustainable population.

To shed light on the scale of the challenge, recent data reveals that only around 7,000 cheetahs remain in the wild globally, and their population has declined by more than 90% over the past century due to habitat loss, poaching, and other threats. The reintroduction project in India represents a significant opportunity to contribute to the conservation of this iconic species.

Experts argue that the cheetah reintroduction project should be backed by robust scientific research, meticulous planning, and effective monitoring. It requires close coordination between governmental bodies, conservation organizations, and local communities to ensure the success and sustainability of the endeavor.

In response to the criticism, the NTCA acknowledged the concerns raised by Jairam Ramesh and assured the public of a transparent investigation into the cheetah deaths. They emphasized the need for collective efforts to protect endangered species and expressed their commitment to learning from the incident to improve future conservation initiatives.

As India continues its journey towards restoring the presence of cheetahs in the wild, it is crucial to strike a balance between political agendas and the scientific principles that underpin successful conservation practices. Only through a collaborative and evidence-based approach can India secure a hopeful future for these magnificent creatures and inspire a global commitment to biodiversity conservation.