gandhi-sagar-next-stop-for-india-s-cheetahs-after-kuno

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Friday announced that cheetahs would be relocated to the Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary on 20 April, marking the second such site in the state under the ambitious Project Cheetah.

 

The Chief Minister chaired a review meeting on the project at his official residence in Bhopal along with Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, where the decision was finalised.

 

“Today, Union Minister Bhupender Yadav held a review meeting with the Madhya Pradesh government regarding the project 'Cheetah' in Bhopal. The Project Cheetah began its journey from Kuno National Park, located in Sheopur district in the state, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” said CM Yadav while speaking to ANI.

 

He added: “The Cheetahs became extinct in Asia, and it was reintroduced here from Namibia and South Africa. It is good news that Cheetahs are adapting to the environment and habitat here; their new generation is born here in our jungle, growing and liking the atmosphere here.”

 

The relocation to Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary—located along the border of Mandsaur and Neemuch districts—has been approved in light of the progress observed at Kuno National Park, said the Chief Minister.

 

“Based on those facts, the Union Minister and officials reviewed the project and approved a new place for the Cheetah project, Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, to shift Cheetahs there as well. I express my gratitude to him. We will make arrangements and introduce a few Cheetahs at Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary on April 20 and move ahead on new possibilities,” said CM Yadav.

 

The Chief Minister also stated that Union Minister Bhupender Yadav raised broader issues during the meeting, highlighting the need to increase public interest in wildlife and improve animal care facilities. These included establishing a rescue centre and a veterinary college.

 

Project Cheetah is the world’s first intercontinental cheetah translocation programme. Twenty cheetahs were imported from Africa—eight from Namibia in September 2022 and 12 from South Africa in February 2023—to reintroduce the species, which had gone extinct in India.

 

The programme has, however, seen setbacks. Eight adult cheetahs—three females and five males—have died since their relocation.

 

At present, Kuno National Park is home to 26 cheetahs, including 12 adults and 14 cubs born on Indian soil.