Project Cheetah: Second Batch of Felines Arrives from South Africa
As part of the ongoing reintroduction project, a second batch of 12 cheetahs has arrived at Kuno National Park from South Africa.
Key Points for Quick Revision
- 12 cheetahs arrived from South Africa at Kuno National Park.
- Cheetahs were declared extinct in India in 1952.
- Project monitored by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
- Kuno National Park is located in Madhya Pradesh.
How This Topic is Tested in Competitive Exams
| Exam | Frequency | Approx. Marks | What Gets Asked |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPSC / State PCS | Very High | 12–20 | Environment and Ecology is a separate section in UPSC Prelims. GS-III includes environment, climate change, and disaster management. |
| SSC (CGL / CHSL / MTS) | High | 3–5 | National parks, Ramsar sites, pollution levels, and climate summits appear in SSC GK. |
| State PCS / PSC | High | 5–8 | State PCS papers test both central environment policy and state-specific conservation achievements. |
What to Memorize from This Topic
- New Ramsar sites, UNESCO sites, Biosphere Reserves: name, state/country, reason for designation
- Climate summit outcomes: COP targets, India's commitments, new agreements
- Pollution data: India's air quality rank, river clean-up updates, plastic ban updates
- Endangered species: IUCN category, habitat, threats, conservation project
- Environmental laws and policies: recent amendments to Environment Protection Act, Forest Rights Act
Practice Questions
Q1. In which state is Kuno National Park located?
- Rajasthan
- Gujarat
- Madhya Pradesh
- Maharashtra
Explanation: Kuno National Park is located in the state of Madhya Pradesh.
Q2. In which year were cheetahs officially declared extinct in India?
- 1947
- 1952
- 1972
- 1991
Explanation: Cheetahs were officially declared extinct in India in 1952.
How to Prepare Environment for Government Exams
Ramsar sites and World Heritage Site additions are announced annually. Compile the year's additions — they are direct exam questions.
For UPSC, understand the international treaty context: Paris Agreement, CBD, CITES, Ramsar — know what each treaty does.
Climate news = policy news. Always note the government response to any environmental event — that's what UPSC Mains tests.