MP CM releases two cheetahs in Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary in Mandsaur district
   Date :21-Apr-2025

MP CM releases two cheetahs in Gandhi Sagar
 
By Bhavana ‘Aparajita’ Shukla :
 
BHOPAL
Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav released two male cheetahs Pawak and Prabhash in Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Mandsaur district on Sunday. The cheetahs have been relocated from Kuno National Park to their new home.
It took more than one year’s preparations to transform Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary for expansion of Cheetah Project.
These six years old cheetahs were brought to India from South Africa in February 2023 and after spending two years at Kuno National Park in Sheopur district these cheetahs were released in Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary.
 
Although a section of activites terms release of two cheetahs simultaneoulsy violation of internal norms. But till filing of this report it was found that the duo are enjoying in their new habitat. National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is actively pursuing plans to import additional cheetahs from South Africa, Botswana, and Kenya, with four expected to arrive from Botswana next month and more to follow.
 
 
Dr Yadav terms release of cheetahs as historic
 
Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav expressed immense joy and congratulated the people of Madhya Pradesh on successful release of two cheetahs into the Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary on Sunday. He hailed the event as a ‘historic day’ for wildlife tourism and a significant milestone in the State’s ambitious Cheetah Project. Dr Yadav credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts for bringing the endangered species back to Madhya Pradesh in September 2022, noting the growing cheetah population since then.
 
He emphasised that Gandhi Sagar has become second home for cheetahs in the State, following Kuno National Park.
Highlighting higher survival rate of cheetahs in India as compared to other reintroduction efforts globally, Dr Yadav affirmed the conducive environment of Madhya Pradesh’s forests and climate for the species.
 
He mentioned the ongoing efforts to bring more cheetahs from South Africa, Kenya and Botswana, adding to existing 26 in Kuno. He pointed out that the Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary, located in western MP in Mandsaur and Neemuch districts, might have been a cheetah habitat centuries ago. He vowed to boost tourism in the region, which also features prehistoric rock paintings of Chaturbhuj Nala. He reiterated the State’s commitment to development and heritage conservation under PM Modi’s leadership.
 
After Kuno, Gandhi Sagar second home for cheetahs
 
Eight Namibian cheetahs, comprising five females and three males, were released in KNP on September 17, 2022, marking the first-ever intercontinental translocation of the big cats. followed by 12 more cheetahs in February 2023 from South Africa to Kuno, which now has 26 cheetahs, including 14 India-born cubs. consolidating state’s claim with having highest growth rate of cheetahs in the world, Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav released two cheetahs from the Kuno National Park (KNP) into the Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary (GSWS) on Sunday evening.