Appraisal of project Cheetah: a policy sciences approach
Student name: Ms Marianne Manuel
Guide: Dr Joachim Schmerbeck
Year of completion: 2011
Host Organisation: School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, Yale University
Supervisor (Host Organisation): Dr Susan G. Clark
Abstract: The main aim of this paper is to carry out an appraisal of Project Cheetah, a 2009 initiative led by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, India to reintroduce cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) into representative parts of their historic former range in India. In order to remain fully contextual and problem-oriented, the policy sciences framework was used to carry out this appraisal. Based on this appraisal, it was found that there are certain fundamental issues that plague wildlife conservation in India and these need to be dealt with before we can proceed with setting rules or guidelines for cheetah reintroduction.
Although wildlife conservation in India, especially in the case of large carnivores, tends to emphasise exclusion over co-existence, in the case of the cheetah it is suggested that an alternate strategy be adopted. Interviews with participants involved in wolf reintroduction and management in Yellowstone National Park suggests that biological success, such as increased population sizes, may not be sustainable in the long-term if it is not accompanied by a certain level of local and political support. Given that the majority of cheetahs in Africa are found outside protected areas and display a certain degree of coexistence with humans, albeit with various conflict mitigation measures in place, it is recommended that Project Cheetah be used as an opportunity to try and carry out conservation strategies that involve a greater degree of local input and involvement.
Keywords: cheetah, reintroduction, carnivore conservation, India, policy sciences
