Why in News:
On November 12, 2025, India and Botswana formally announced a cheetah translocation pact, under which eight cheetahs will be relocated from Botswana to India as part of Project Cheetah. The agreement was finalised during President Droupadi Murmu’s state visit to Botswana, marking a significant milestone in India–Africa conservation diplomacy.
Relevance
GS 3 – Environment & Biodiversity
- Project Cheetah and Wildlife Conservation
- Biodiversity Diplomacy and International Cooperation
- India–Africa Partnership in Sustainable Development
GS 2 – International Relations
- India–Botswana Bilateral Relations
- South–South Cooperation and Global South Leadership
Key Highlights
- Agreement Signed: Between India and Botswana to translocate eight cheetahs to India.
- Symbolic Handover: Botswana President Mokgweetsi Duma Boko symbolically handed over the big cats to President Murmu in Gaborone, the capital.
- Timeline: The cheetahs will arrive in India after undergoing quarantine procedures, likely within a few months.
- Destination: To be relocated to an Indian wildlife reserve under Project Cheetah, expanding the genetic diversity of India’s cheetah population.
Significance for Botswana
- Biodiversity Diplomacy: Enhances Botswana’s role as a key conservation partner in Africa.
- Legacy of Success: Botswana hosts one of the world’s largest wild cheetah populations (~2,000–2,500), known for robust conservation policies.
- Strategic Soft Power: By partnering with India, Botswana strengthens its global image in wildlife management, eco-tourism, and sustainable conservation.
- Economic Angle: India is a major trading partner, especially in diamonds, with potential expansion in renewable energy and digital cooperation.
- Political Context: Reaffirms Botswana’s commitment to South–South cooperation and India–Africa strategic ties beyond trade.
India–Botswana Cooperation
- Focus Areas:
- Agriculture & renewable energy
- Health, education & digital development
- Defence & affordable housing
- Climate and biodiversity action
- Diplomatic Milestone: The pact follows the signing of a Protocol on Foreign Office Consultations to institutionalise dialogue.
- Upcoming Plans: Establishment of Indian diplomatic mission in Botswana by 2026.
Project Cheetah Context
- Objective: Reintroduce the Asiatic cheetah’s ecological role using African cheetahs.
- Launched: 2022, under the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
- Current Source Countries: Namibia (2022), South Africa (2023), now Botswana (2025) — expanding the African cooperation network.
- Previous Success: 20 cheetahs already relocated to Kuno National Park (Madhya Pradesh); births of cubs mark early success.
- Challenge: Mortality due to adaptation stress and prey limitation; new genetic stock aims to stabilise the population.
Strategic and Diplomatic Relevance
- India’s Broader Africa Policy:
- Strengthens India–Africa partnership in line with the India–Africa Forum Summit objectives.
- Positions India as a conservation leader in the Global South.
- Promotes science-led ecological diplomacy.
- Soft Power & Development Diplomacy: Symbolic of India’s model of cooperative sustainability, not extractive engagement.
Way Forward
- Ensure ecological suitability and prey base in release sites.
- Strengthen India–Botswana scientific collaboration on wildlife genetics and disease control.
- Build joint eco-tourism and conservation technology platforms.
- Establish long-term monitoring using radio collars and satellite data.
