As the Cheetah Project is progressing well in the State, cheetahs in India are likely to shift to their second home Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary soon after the Kuno National Park (KNP). Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav made an important announcement on Friday saying Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary ready to host the animals soon. After attending, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) meeting at Bhopal, he said that in-depth discussion was held on cheetah relocation in Friday meeting. Giving hint on relocation date, Minister Yadav said that preparations are nearly complete to relocate more cheetahs to the Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary. Sanctuary officials says it is expected to welcome the cheetahs on April 20.

 

The minister said that the NTCA meeting also mulled about upcoming plans of introduction of cheetahs in Gujarat’s Banni Grasslands alongside discussion on Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary relocation plan. Union Minister lauded State’s efforts to in forest conservation, eco-tourism and tribal welfare. Concern official says that all necessary preparations at Gandhi Sagar have been completed. The public will soon receive the official announcement about the cheetahs’ arrival. Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary has been earmarked as an important link for long-term conservation of cheetahs, with the aim to establish a metapopulation of 60-70 cheetahs across the Kuno-Gandhi Sagar landscape, spread across MP and Rajasthan. Phase-1 of the project started in 2022, to restore the population of cheetahs, which were declared extinct in the country in 1952. It involves translocation of cheetahs from South Africa and Namibia to Kuno National Park. 

 

 

Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav will inaugurate the Cheetah Project in Khimla block of Neemuch on April 20. After the meeting, Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav stated the Cheetahs became extinct in Asia, and it was reintroduced here from Namibia and South Africa. It is good news that Cheetahs are adapting to the environment and habitat here; their new generation is born here in our jungle, growing and liking the atmosphere here.” According to the information, on April 20, Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav will reach Jawad and will address the programme after inaugurating the CM Rise School building and distributing benefits to the beneficiaries and performing bhoomipujan of new industries, various development and construction works. Thereafter, he will reach Rampur.