Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): In a significant development for India’s ambitious Project Cheetah, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced on Friday that cheetahs will be introduced to a new habitat—Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary—on April 20. The sanctuary lies along the border of Mandsaur and Neemuch districts.
The announcement came following a high-level review meeting held at the Chief Minister’s residence in Bhopal, attended by Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav and senior officials. CM Yadav said that necessary arrangements are being made to relocate a few cheetahs to Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary as part of the project’s expansion.
“Today, Union Minister Bhupender Yadav conducted a detailed review of Project Cheetah in Bhopal. Based on the cheetahs’ adaptation to their current environment and the birth of cubs on Indian soil, the decision was made to expand the project to Gandhi Sagar,” CM Yadav said .
The CM expressed gratitude to the union minister for approving the new site and emphasised the growing success of the initiative. “The cheetahs brought from Namibia and South Africa are now thriving. Their offspring have been born here, indicating that they are adjusting well to the Indian habitat,” he said.
During the meeting, Union Minister Yadav also stressed the need to enhance public engagement and awareness around wildlife conservation. He called for better facilities for wildlife, including the establishment of a rescue centre and a veterinary college.
Project Cheetah aims to reintroduce cheetahs to India after they were declared extinct in the country. As part of this historic effort, 20 cheetahs were translocated to Kuno National Park—eight from Namibia in September 2022 and 12 from South Africa in February 2023. Since their arrival, the project has faced several hurdles, including the loss of eight adult cheetahs (three females and five males).
Currently, Kuno National Park is home to 26 cheetahs, which includes 12 adults and 14 cubs born in India. The upcoming relocation marks a significant step in diversifying habitats and ensuring the long-term success of the species in India.
