Four years ago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the intercontinental cheetah translocation project in Kuno National Park. The project has been successful with a growing cheetah population and increased tourism.
On September 17, 2022, four years ago, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi initiated the intercontinental cheetah translocation project at Kuno National Park in Sheopur district. The project marked a new milestone in wildlife conservation in Madhya Pradesh as cheetahs brought from Namibia were released onto Indian soil. To commemorate this anniversary and Prime Minister Modi's birthday, thousands of diyas will be lit at Tiktoli Gate in Kuno on September 17, 2026, as a token of gratitude. This event is being organised by the Forest Department under the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan.
The illumination symbolises the resolve and achievement that has led to cheetahs, once extinct in India, roaming freely on Indian soil again. The birth of cubs at Kuno and the growing cheetah population indicate significant milestones reached during this journey.
The thousands of diyas lit at Tiktoli Gate will not only be part of a ceremonial event but will symbolise gratitude for the return of cheetahs to India and the commitment to nature conservation. The sight of cheetahs sprinting through the forests of Kuno, cubs born in India, growing tourism, and Sheopur's global recognition are all testaments to the achievements of the four-year journey.
According to reports, as of completion of four years of Project Cheetah, there are now 52 cheetahs in India, with 49 residing in Kuno National Park and three at Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Mandsaur. Of the total 52 cheetahs, 32 have been born in India, demonstrating that the natural environment of Kuno has proven conducive to cheetah breeding.
The cheetah reintroduction project has transformed Sheopur's identity both nationally and internationally, making it a significant centre for cheetah conservation. The project has also boosted tourism activities in the region and created new employment opportunities at the local level.
Source:
MPInfo English News
