New Delhi: India today marked the two years journey of the “Cheetah project” an attempt to bring back the most fastest cat on the earth.
On September 17, eight cheetahs from Namibia, three male and five females arrived on Indian soil, kicking the project with an objective in the global effort towards conservation of endangered species.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on this very day in 2022, released the eight cheetahs in Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park.
Hailing the project, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said, “It hasn’t been an easy road. Numerous challenges, from habitat adjustments to ensuring the cubs’ survival in the wild, were overcome”.
The Minister said, “Two years ago, we embarked on a historic journey to reintroduce cheetahs in India after nearly 70 years…The project, envisioned by PM Shri @narendramodi ji, a pioneering effort globally, symbolizes hope for successfully restoring lost wildlife populations and ecosystems.”
“Today, as the world watches these cheetah cubs thrive in their natural habitat, we celebrate not just their survival but the resilience and dedication of all involved in these humongous efforts. This is just the beginning of restoring balance to our ecosystems. Many more milestones lie ahead” the minister wrote on social media X.
About Project Cheetahs:
On September 17, 2022, Kuno shot to international fame when Prime Minister Narendra Modi released a few cheetahs out of eight brought from Namibia.
In February 2023, 12 more cheetahs were brought from South Africa, taking the total to 20.
Out of 20 adult cheetahs brought from Namibia and South Africa, eight are dead. Out of 17 cubs born in Kuno, five are no more. The remaining 12 cheetahs are inside the enclosures, waiting to be released in the jungle.
The Project Cheetah introduced is to improve and enhance the livelihood options and economies of the local communities. In all 1,459 tourists visited Kuno National Park in 2022-23 followed by 3,172 in 2023-24.
An action plan for the introduction of Cheetahs in India also emphasis on the first release site- Kuno National Park as per the latest IUCN Guidelines has been prepared by the Joint effort of all stakeholders.
