Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 5: IndianOil signed an MoU with National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) for transcontinental relocation of ‘Cheetah’ in its historical range in India, in an event held today at Paryavaran Bhawan, New Delhi.
The MoU was signed by S M Vaidya, Chairman, IndianOil and Dr S P Yadav, Additional Director General (Project Tiger) and Member Secretary (NTCA) in the presence of Hardeep Singh Puri, Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas and Housing and Urban Affairs, Bhupender Yadav, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Labour and Employment, Ashwini Kumar Choubey, MoS, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and Rameswar Teli, MoS, Petroleum and Natural Gas and Labour and Employment.
This is in continuation with the MoU signed on 20th July 2022 between Government of India and Government of the Republic of Namibia on wildlife conservation and sustainable biodiversity utilization, for establishing the cheetah into the historical range in India.
IndianOil will be contributing Rs 50.22 crore over 5 years for the project components viz. Cheetah introduction, its habitat management and protection, eco development, staff training and veterinary healthcare.
Under this project, a source population of 15-20 Cheetahs will be flown in from Namibia and South Africa and will be introduced at Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh. It is a national project involving National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), Government of India and the State Government of Madhya Pradesh.
IndianOil is the first corporate which has come forward to support the “Project Cheetah” under CSR, as the project has not only national importance but also essential for balancing the ecosystem. Cheetah has a very special significance for the national conservation ethic and ethos. Understanding this, IndianOil is aiding the cause of bringing the Cheetah back to India, which would have equally important conservation ramifications. Cheetah restoration will be part of a prototype for restoration of original cheetah habitats, helping to stem the degradation and rapid loss of biodiversity. This project is in sync with IndianOil’s strong environmental conscience and aligns with the company’s focus on conserving India’s natural habitat and heritage. It may be noted that IndianOil adopted Indian Single Horned Rhino as its mascot last year and, since then, the company has been at the forefront of India’s Rhino conservation endeavours.
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