Introduction and Overview

  • The Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary is a significant biodiversity hotspot in northwestern Madhya Pradesh, which also borders Rajasthan.
  • The sanctuary encompasses 368 sq km and is noted for its diverse ecosystem.
  • The sanctuary's landscapes include savanna, open grasslands, dry deciduous forests, and riverine areas, all contributing to a vibrant and varied natural habitat.
  • The Chambal River divides the sanctuary into two parts, with the Gandhi Sagar Dam situated within the sanctuary.

 

Sanctuary and Ecosystem Details

  • It is recognised as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA).
  • The vegetation found in the sanctuary is characteristic of the Khathiar-Gir dry deciduous forests ecoregion.
  • Geographically, the sanctuary mirrors the Maasai Mara in Kenya, renowned for its savanna wilderness and rich wildlife.

 

Latest Developments: Cheetah Relocation

  • The Cheetah Project Steering Committee, under the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), has sanctioned the relocation of some cheetahs to this sanctuary from Kuno National Park.
  • The move is meant to expand the habitat of these magnificent creatures.

 

Long-Term Cheetah Conservation Goal

  • As a part of a wider metapopulation strategy, Gandhi Sagar is intended to support a cheetah population of 60-70 individuals.
  • This aims to maintain a healthy and sustainable cheetah population across the Kuno-Gandhi Sagar landscape in the states of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
  • All these efforts are contributing significantly towards wildlife conservation and maintaining biodiversity.