Cheetahs’ ‘new home’ in India completes 2 years… How successful has ‘Project Cheetah’ been in Kuno so far

New Delhi: It has been two years since the cheetahs came to India from the African continent. In Kuno National Park of Madhya Pradesh, where these cheetahs have now learnt to live in the Indian environment, this species has now started increasing the population in its new home. In fact, the first batch of cheetahs arrived in India on 17 September on the occasion of PM Modi’s birthday, which included eight cheetahs. At the same time, the second batch came from South Africa in February 2023 next year, in which 12 cheetahs were brought.

20 cheetahs in two years

In the last two years, 20 leopards have come to India. Out of these, 12 leopards are left now. Eight leopards died, while in these two years, 17 cubs were also born here. Five of them died. Despite all these adverse circumstances, it is a matter of satisfaction that the population of leopards is increasing in Kuno. Currently, all these leopards are in the enclosure. However, after the death of leopard Pawan, who was released in the open forest, due to drowning, the administration has not yet taken a decision to release them in the open forest. But according to sources, they will be released in the open forest gradually. Leopards usually need an area of ​​at least 50 km to roam around.

Pawan-Gamini’s death, Mukhi’s childhood… Project Cheeta’s 2 years were filled with happiness and sadness

Challenges for Project Cheetah

On this occasion, Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupendra Yadav said that the two years of ‘Project Cheetah’ have been challenging. In this, many difficulties were successfully overcome, from adjusting the habitat of cheetahs to saving the lives of cubs. Yadav wrote on social media that today when the world is seeing these cheetah cubs thriving in their natural habitat, we are not only celebrating their survival, but also celebrating the dedication of all the people involved in these big efforts. However, he/she described this effort as just the beginning of restoring balance in our ecosystem and said that many more milestones are to be established in future.

So that is why the leopards died… what is mentioned in the report about Kuno National Park

Second home for cheetahs

However, after initial difficulties, the government is going to take this project forward, in which apart from Kuno, another habitat is also being prepared for the cheetahs, where preparations are being made to bring the next batch of cheetahs. According to sources, under this, preparations are in full swing to bring the next batch of cheetahs to Gandhisagar Wildlife Sanctuary. At the same time, a conservation breeding center is being set up in the Banni grasslands in Gujarat.