Cheetah Project Steering Committee constituted

Pashu Sandesh, 29 May 2023

The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has constituted a Cheetah Project Steering Committee as per the decision taken in a meeting with the Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Govt. of Madhya Pradesh, chaired by the DG, Forest &SS, in supersession of O.M of even number dated 22^nd September 2022 on the Cheetah Task Force.

The members of the said Committee are as follows:

1. Dr Rajesh Gopal, Secretary General, Global Tiger Forum, New Delhi -  Chairman
2. Shri R. N. Mehrotra, former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & HoFF/CWLW, Rajasthan: Member
3. Shri P. R. Sinha, former Director, Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun: Member
4. Dr H. S. Negi, former APCCF Wildlife: Member NTCA
5. Dr P. K. Malik, former Faculty at WII:  Member NTCA
6. Shri G. S. Rawat, former Dean, Wildlife Institute of India/ Member WII Society,  Dehradun: Member
7. Ms Mittal Patel Social Worker, Founder Vicharta Samuday Samarthan Manch (VSSM), Ahmedabad: Member
8. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) & Chief Wildlife Warden, Madhya Pradesh – Member
9. Prof. Qamar Qureshi, Scientist, Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun – Member
10. Inspector General, NTCA, New Delhi: Member
11. Shri Subhoranjan Sen, APCCF- Wildlife: Member Convener

Consulting panel of international Cheetah experts (for advice, when required):

1. Prof. Adrian Tordiffe, Veterinary Wildlife Specialist, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, South Africa
2. Dr Laurie Marker, CCF, Namibia
3.  Dr Andrew John Fraser, Farm Olievenbosch, South Africa.
4. Mr Vincent van dan Merwe: Manager, Cheetah Metapopulation Project, The Metapopulation Initiative, South Africa

The Terms of Reference of the Task Force are as follows:

1. To review, progress,  monitor and advise on the Cheetah introduction to the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department and NTCA.
2. Opening the Cheetah habitat for eco-tourism and suggesting regulations in this regard.
3. Suggestions on community interface and for their involvement in the project activities.
4. The Steering Committee shall be in force for a period of two years and will hold at least one meeting every month, besides taking field visits as and when required.
5. The Committee may invite any expert for consultation, as and when required.
6. The panel of International Cheetah experts shall be consulted for advice or invited to India on specific requirements. 
7. The NTCA, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change would facilitate the committee's work.
8. The NTCA would bear the travel costs for non-official members and other incidental expenses as per extant rules.