BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh’s ambitious wildlife revival mission is set for a major leap forward, as eight cheetahs will soon be brought in from Botswana under Project Cheetah. The first four are expected to arrive by May 2025, with another four to follow in the second phase.
This announcement came during a high-level review meeting on the Cheetah Project chaired by chief minister Mohan Yadav at Samatva Bhavan in the presence of Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) confirmed that discussions are also underway with South Africa and Kenya to bring in more cheetahs, and a bilateral contract with Kenya is in the works.
Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav praised Madhya Pradesh’s leadership in wildlife tourism and urged further integration of eco-tourism with local livelihoods. He suggested the formation of a task force involving departments like forest, tourism, veterinary, rural development, and tribal affairs to oversee wildlife rehabilitation. He also proposed a tie-up with Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM), Bhopal to train 400 Cheetah Mitras from 80 villages in Sheopur district.
The Union minister encouraged development of nearby heritage sites, including converting a local fort into a heritage walk, creating viewpoints for crocodile and gharial spotting, and setting up Ayurvedic wellness centers for tourists. “If we offer world-class experiences, tourists from across the globe will come to witness cheetahs in Kuno and Gandhi Sagar,” he said.
With over Rs 112 crore already spent on the cheetah project nationwide—67% of it in Madhya Pradesh alone—the state's position as the epicenter of cheetah conservation is stronger than ever.
Mohan Yadav said, “Wild tourism is not just about conservation—it’s becoming a gateway to prosperity for Madhya Pradesh. Kuno has paved the way, and now Gandhi Sagar will join as a major wildlife tourism hub.”
In a significant achievement, officials informed the chief minister that cheetah cubs born in Madhya Pradesh have the highest survival rate in the world—a testament to the state’s thriving habitat and conservation strategy. In contrast, cubs in other countries often fail to adapt to climatic conditions.
To boost accessibility and tourism in Kuno, Yadav announced plans for direct road and air connectivity from Gwalior, alongside construction of a paved all-weather road to the park. A tent city will also be established to give tourists a close-to-nature forest experience. Kuno will soon see the establishment of an international-standard veterinary hospital and rescue center with Central Government support. The facility will serve both wildlife and local livestock. Under the State Livelihood Development Mission, new initiatives like Didi Cafés and training for Cheetah Mitras and women from self-help groups as tourist guides are being launched. “We’re not just bringing cheetahs—we’re bringing jobs, empowerment, and a new economy rooted in sustainability,” said Yadav.
Beyond cheetahs, the state is expanding its conservation efforts to other endangered species. Plans are in motion to introduce 10 king cobras into the wild to control venomous snake populations. Gharials and rare turtles from the Chambal River will also be rehabilitated into four major rivers and reservoirs across the state.
Currently, Kuno National Park is home to 26 cheetahs—16 in the open forest and 10 in a rehabilitation center. Females Jwala, Asha, Gamini, and Veera have all given birth to cubs. These cheetahs are monitored 24/7 using satellite collar IDs. Tourist footfall in Kuno has doubled in two years, prompting the state government to file a petition in the Supreme Court for permission to begin cheetah safaris. A decision is awaited.
The review meeting was attended by a battery of senior officials including: Tanmay Kumar, Union Secretary for Project Cheetah Implementation, Anurag Jain, Chief Secretary, Dr. Govind Sagar Bhardwaj, NTCA Member Secretary, S.P. Yadav, Interim DG, International Big Cat Alliance, Sushil Kumar Awasthi, Director General of Forests, Senior forest and state officials including Ashok Barnwal, Aseem Shrivastava, Shubhranjan Sen, L. Krishnamurthy, Atul Kumar Mishra, and CPR Dr Sudam Khade.
Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary to welcome its first cheetahs on April 20
The state will witness a historic moment as two cheetahs will be relocated from Kuno National Park to Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary in Mandsaur district. This marks India’s first intra-state cheetah translocation. Prabhash and Pavak—the male coalition, brought from Waterberg Biosphere Reserve in South Africa—will be released into their new home at Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary on Sunday evening. This landmark moment marks the first intra-state translocation of cheetahs within Madhya Pradesh. The two cheetahs, currently housed at Kuno National Park, will be transported by road in a special convoy via Rajasthan, covering the journey in 6 to 7 hours. A dedicated team of forest officials will oversee the operation, with both Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan governments ensuring a safe, disturbance-free corridor through special protocols.
This announcement came during a high-level review meeting on the Cheetah Project chaired by chief minister Mohan Yadav at Samatva Bhavan in the presence of Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) confirmed that discussions are also underway with South Africa and Kenya to bring in more cheetahs, and a bilateral contract with Kenya is in the works.
Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav praised Madhya Pradesh’s leadership in wildlife tourism and urged further integration of eco-tourism with local livelihoods. He suggested the formation of a task force involving departments like forest, tourism, veterinary, rural development, and tribal affairs to oversee wildlife rehabilitation. He also proposed a tie-up with Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM), Bhopal to train 400 Cheetah Mitras from 80 villages in Sheopur district.
The Union minister encouraged development of nearby heritage sites, including converting a local fort into a heritage walk, creating viewpoints for crocodile and gharial spotting, and setting up Ayurvedic wellness centers for tourists. “If we offer world-class experiences, tourists from across the globe will come to witness cheetahs in Kuno and Gandhi Sagar,” he said.
With over Rs 112 crore already spent on the cheetah project nationwide—67% of it in Madhya Pradesh alone—the state's position as the epicenter of cheetah conservation is stronger than ever.
Mohan Yadav said, “Wild tourism is not just about conservation—it’s becoming a gateway to prosperity for Madhya Pradesh. Kuno has paved the way, and now Gandhi Sagar will join as a major wildlife tourism hub.”
In a significant achievement, officials informed the chief minister that cheetah cubs born in Madhya Pradesh have the highest survival rate in the world—a testament to the state’s thriving habitat and conservation strategy. In contrast, cubs in other countries often fail to adapt to climatic conditions.
To boost accessibility and tourism in Kuno, Yadav announced plans for direct road and air connectivity from Gwalior, alongside construction of a paved all-weather road to the park. A tent city will also be established to give tourists a close-to-nature forest experience. Kuno will soon see the establishment of an international-standard veterinary hospital and rescue center with Central Government support. The facility will serve both wildlife and local livestock. Under the State Livelihood Development Mission, new initiatives like Didi Cafés and training for Cheetah Mitras and women from self-help groups as tourist guides are being launched. “We’re not just bringing cheetahs—we’re bringing jobs, empowerment, and a new economy rooted in sustainability,” said Yadav.
Beyond cheetahs, the state is expanding its conservation efforts to other endangered species. Plans are in motion to introduce 10 king cobras into the wild to control venomous snake populations. Gharials and rare turtles from the Chambal River will also be rehabilitated into four major rivers and reservoirs across the state.
Currently, Kuno National Park is home to 26 cheetahs—16 in the open forest and 10 in a rehabilitation center. Females Jwala, Asha, Gamini, and Veera have all given birth to cubs. These cheetahs are monitored 24/7 using satellite collar IDs. Tourist footfall in Kuno has doubled in two years, prompting the state government to file a petition in the Supreme Court for permission to begin cheetah safaris. A decision is awaited.
The review meeting was attended by a battery of senior officials including: Tanmay Kumar, Union Secretary for Project Cheetah Implementation, Anurag Jain, Chief Secretary, Dr. Govind Sagar Bhardwaj, NTCA Member Secretary, S.P. Yadav, Interim DG, International Big Cat Alliance, Sushil Kumar Awasthi, Director General of Forests, Senior forest and state officials including Ashok Barnwal, Aseem Shrivastava, Shubhranjan Sen, L. Krishnamurthy, Atul Kumar Mishra, and CPR Dr Sudam Khade.
Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary to welcome its first cheetahs on April 20
The state will witness a historic moment as two cheetahs will be relocated from Kuno National Park to Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary in Mandsaur district. This marks India’s first intra-state cheetah translocation. Prabhash and Pavak—the male coalition, brought from Waterberg Biosphere Reserve in South Africa—will be released into their new home at Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary on Sunday evening. This landmark moment marks the first intra-state translocation of cheetahs within Madhya Pradesh. The two cheetahs, currently housed at Kuno National Park, will be transported by road in a special convoy via Rajasthan, covering the journey in 6 to 7 hours. A dedicated team of forest officials will oversee the operation, with both Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan governments ensuring a safe, disturbance-free corridor through special protocols.
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