Madhya Pradesh Forest Department has sent the proposal to the Government to extend the protected area of Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary by 541 square kilometre to provide bigger running area to the cheetah cubs. According to reports, the proposal includes to acquire 369 square km of area from Sheopur Division and 172 square km from Shivpuri Division. Officials said that growing population of cheetahs in Kuno is the main reason for this proposal.

 

Uttam Kumar, Field Director of KNP said, “The sanctuary has 13 cubs born in India and in less than two years, they will start making territory and killing the prey in wild. These cubs require open space to set up their territory, kill the prey and survive with other species.” He further informed that the 13 cubs are significant for the team to make ambitious Cheetah Project successful. “This is a crucial step towards securing the long term survival of the Indian cheetahs population.” added the director.

 

He informed that the State Government had already expanded Kuno last year adding around 550 sqkm of area. In September 2023, Kuno’s cheetah got more space to active in wild. Earlier, a big forest land, encompassing over 550 square kilometre was conserved for Madhavrao Scindia Sanctuary. In order to provide adequate space to imported cheetahs, the area conserved for Madhavrao Scindia Sanctuary was added to Kuno that made the cats enjoying a sprawling 1249 sq km area. The 50 acres of forest land is situated between Madhav National Park in Shivpuri district and KNP was conserved to be developed as Madhavrao Scindia Wildlife Sanctuary. Concerned over the need of vast area for cheetah in Kuno, Government decided to add the land in Kuno’s periphery.