Why are Kuno’s cheetah trackers on strike? – Firstpost

For the first time in many years, cheetahs are roaming freely in India.

However, concerns have been raised about the living conditions of cheetahs in the Sheopur district of Kuno National Park in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.

This time, however, the problem is different, even though the park has encountered numerous ecological and adaptation difficulties.

Due to serious allegations against the administration, the cheetah endangerers employed in Kuno have gone on strike.

Here’s why.

Cheetah trackers on strike

About 30 villagers who were employed around the clock to track and monitor cheetahs have gone on strike.

Each tracker is assigned a specific cheetah to observe its behavior in the enclosure. This allows for closer monitoring and potentially a certain level of trust.

This includes keeping an eye on feeding times, looking after the welfare of the cheetahs and offering recreational activities when needed.

The Times of India The report quoted its source as saying that while it is difficult to form a close bond with wild animals, intimacy can help cheetahs adapt and gather information.

“The trackers stopped their work and came to Kuno four days ago. They went directly to the Chief Minister’s office instead of discussing the issue with the park or wildlife department first,” an official told the newspaper.

However, the unexpected attack has hampered the cheetah monitoring initiative.

“Currently, most of the cheetahs are in secure enclosures and our existing staff can take care of them. The absence of the villagers will not significantly affect the tracking and monitoring of the cheetahs,” the official said.

Rejection of the slaughter of animals

Soft-release bomas (SRBs) are unique enclosures in which big cats are kept.

Most cheetah trackers refuse to kill animals for food.

Accordingly NDTVThese locals were selected mainly from the Gurjar and Yadav communities as they are familiar with the terrain of the area.

But killing goats and buffalo for the cheetahs goes against their religious beliefs.

According to TOI They reportedly even refused training from the park administration.

“We are on strike and have not yet heard a response from the park officials. Our demands are clear: we are not allowed to take part in preparing the animals for cheetah feeding,” said a tracker.

Low wages

Another reason for the strike is the extremely low wages.

Trackers work in shifts and receive about Rs 9,000 per month.

The forest is dangerous, say cheetah hunters, and they have to spend three to four days a week tracking down the big cats.

The protesters claim that their religious beliefs are not being taken into account and that nothing is being done in the name of security.

A villager named Rajveer Gurjar demanded that the government should help them more, according to NDTV.

Sitaram Yadav, another villager, said they were poorly paid for their strenuous work.

Accordingly TOIInsurance coverage and exemption from slaughter duty are two important reasons raised by their representatives when they visited the office of Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav to demand action.

Though they could not see the CM, they were able to present their case to his OSD, SK Tiwari, who then approached the concerned personnel for further information.

Cheetah hunters seek comprehensive insurance to cover all risks associated with their employment in the park, such as encounters with wild animals or accidents while tracking.

Challenges for cheetah trackers

Cheetah trackers face numerous challenges in doing their job.

Veera, the cheetah, had once ventured outside the park boundaries. She reached the village of Baghwala, which is near the Gwalior-Morena border. The trackers and officials were on their feet round the clock trying to rescue her, as TOI.

Earlier, there were reports that Pawan, another cheetah, had strayed from the park’s boundaries. He was recently found in the Karoli region of Rajasthan.

In one of the incidents, trackers sent to find a cheetah that had left the park were attacked by residents of Burakheda town in Morena.

Based on their clothing and their presence at midnight, the villagers assumed that the group was a group of cattle thieves and attacked them at gunpoint. No significant injuries were reported.

Kuno National Park in difficult situation

The strike reveals a potential conflict between efforts to protect wildlife and traditional values.

In their haste to find alternatives, Kuno Park officials are considering outsourcing the tendering process for purchasing pre-cut meat to authorized suppliers.

The first group of cheetahs was relocated from Namibia in September 2022 and released into enclosures by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The park is currently home to 26 cheetahs, half of which are cubs.

Cheetah Gamini previously gave birth to five cubs, bringing the total number of cheetahs born in India to 13.

With contributions from agencies

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