A week back Prime Minister Narendra Modi released eight cheetahs brought from Namibia into Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park (KNP). Ground reports from the national park reveal that the big cats are adjusting to their new home and five veterinarians, including three experts from Namibia, are monitoring them.
The cheetahs from Namibia will wear tracking devices around their necks. They will start off in a smaller safe area for one month before they are released to a larger area. They will be living in the same area as deer and antelope. Scientists hope the cheetahs will learn how to hunt them. Other predators, such as bears and leopards, will not be able to get into the area.
The project is expected to cost more than $11 million. It includes relocating a small village on the edge of the cheetah area. About $6 million of the cost will be paid by state-run Indian Oil.
The eight cheetahs that were brought from Namibia on a special flight include five female cheetahs and three male. They are now being kept in six enclosures. Two enclosures hold two each while the remaining four are being kept in separate enclosures.
The central government formed a task force to closely monitor the change and behaviour of the cheetahs in Kuno National Park. Shubh Ranjan Sen, the additional principal chief conservator of forests at the Wildlife Headquarters has been made the convening member of the task force.
The last cheetah in India died in 1947 in Korea district in present day Chhattisgarh, which was earlier part of Madhya Pradesh, and the species was declared extinct from India in 1952. According to reports, the cheetah has lost 90 percent of its global habitat in the last 100 years. In addition, in many of the 31 populations of the cheetah, only 100-200 are left with their habitat consistently deteriorating. There are about 7,000 adult cheetahs in the world.
India takes over SCO rotating presidency
The rotational presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization was handed over to India in Samarkand, Uzbekistan recently. Delhi will hold the presidency of the grouping for a year until September 2023. Next year India will host the SCO summit.
The leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Member States signed the Samarkand Declaration in the meeting of the Council of Heads of State in the city of Samarkand, Uzbekistan. In the declaration, it is stated that the presidency of the SCO for the forthcoming period passes to India.
During the SCO Summit, the Member States noted the various global challenges and threats including technological and digital divide, continued turbulence in global financial markets, instability in supply chains, increased protectionist measures and uncertainty in the global economy.
Kashmir gets its first multiplex
Kashmir’s much-awaited first multiplex opened to the public on September 20. With the opening of the multiplex, which is designed by INOX, in Srinagar, Kashmiris will get a chance to see movies on the big screen after more than three decades.
The first multiplex in Kashmir will have three movie theatres with a total capacity of 520 seats. The premises will also have a food court aimed at promoting local cuisine. The scheduled opening of the multiplex, which will be operated by INOX, comes close on the heels of Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha inaugurating multipurpose cinema halls – one each in the twin Pulwama and Shopian districts.
According to an official, the multiplexes are designed by INOX. Three large auditoriums have been built in the multiplex with a seating capacity of more than 500 people at a time. The auditorium has been provided with the Dolby Atmos digital sound system giving the viewers surround sound for the best movie experience.
Bengaluru FC win Durand Cup
Sunil Chhetri-led Bengaluru FC beat Mumbai City FC 2-1 in the final of the 131st edition of Durand Cup at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata. Goals from Siva Sakthi in the 10th minute and Alan Costa’s 61st-minute strike were enough to help Bengaluru lift the crown. Apuia got the lone goal for the Mumbai side in an entertaining match.
Siva Shakti and Alan Costa scored the goals on both sides of Apuia’s equaliser to help Bengaluru clinch the Durand Cup, Shimla Trophy and President’s Cup for the first time in their history.
Captain Chhetri also had a couple of golden opportunities to score, once in the 69th minute, when his left-footed strike missed the target and then again in the 87th when he was one-on-one with the keeper, but Lachenpa was up to it and brought off a great save. The Blues in the end had done enough for a seventh national title win.
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