A forest land, encompassing around 550 square kilometer that is currently under Shivpuri and Sheopur division, is proposed to be added to Kuno National Park, making it a safe habitat and adequate space for cheetah. The addition of forest land will provide sufficient space to the cheetah for territory formation and killing prey. The Forest Department has sent its final draft to the Government for its final approval. The proposal includes to acquiring 369 sq km area from Sheopur division and 172 sq km from Shivpuri division. The decision came in March 2024 after birth of five more cheetah cubs. At present, Kuno National Park is spread over 749 sqkm of area. Talking about the proposal, Kuno Field Director Uttam Sharma said that after releasing the cheetahs from the enclosure, they sneak out of the periphery and reach in neighbouring states including Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, etc. He said, experts suggested to extend the area of Kuno to keep the cats engaged in the park’s periphery.

 

He further added, “A proposal has been sent to the Government to extend the area by 550 sqkm so that cheetahs can run in adequate space. Efforts are being made to increase the population of cheetah in future so space requirement is must.” Officials said that, population of cheetahs will be increasing in Kuno and Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary. They said, it is important to arrange sufficient space for the cheetahs so that they do not sneak out to other districts or state and do not get involved in territorial fight or attack human being. According to the draft prepared by the Forest Department, 550 sq km of area will be added to Kuno after acquiring the Shivpuri and Sheopur division. As the two locations are very close to Kuno, authorities have identified these two jungle to be added in Sheopur. Best part of this plan is that there is no need to face challenge of relocation as there is no residential villages in these areas.

 

The original area of KNP was notified as 749 sq km and with this 550 sq km added, it will now enjoy a sprawling 1,299 sq km area. The 55 acres of forest land is situated between Madhav National Park in Shivpuri district. Uttam Sharma said that when cheetahs were released into wild, many of them strayed out of Kuno periphery. Asha, Pawan and a few other cheetahs reached Shivpuri’s Madhav National Park and nearby districts. Recently, cheetah Pawan was transqualised from Rajasthan. He said that this incident indicated that 749 sq km of area is not sufficient for them while it needed to be extended. Preparation has begun to add the 55,000 hectare of land (550 sq km) of jungle in KNP. After adding this forest land, a corridor will be developed connecting KNP, Shivpuri jungle and Rajasthan’s Ranthambore as all these places come under 200 km of area. Ranthambore’s extended area Kailadevi Wildlife Sanctuary and Kuno is having Chambal River. Forest staff assigned around forest land reserved for Madhavrao Scindia Sanctuary will be part of Kuno’s staff as they are well aware of the beast.