India’s ambitious Project Cheetah, which aims to reintroduce the majestic big cat into the Indian ecosystem after their extinction in the country, is set to reach a new milestone. Officials announced that eight more cheetahs will be relocated from Botswana, with the first four expected to arrive by May 2025, followed by the remaining four later this year. The development marks another significant step in India's plan to revive the cheetah population and establish a sustainable conservation model.

A Phase-wise Relocation Effort

The announcement was made during a high-level review meeting of Project Cheetah held in Bhopal, attended by Union Minister for Environment, Forests & Climate Change Bhupender Yadav, and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav. The meeting saw active participation from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), which has been at the forefront of the project.

According to officials, the cheetahs from Botswana will arrive in two phases. The first batch of four is expected to land in India by May 2025, while another four will follow soon after. Alongside Botswana, the Indian government is also in discussions with South Africa and Kenya to further augment the cheetah population.

Current Cheetah Statistics in India

As of now, India houses 26 cheetahs, with 16 roaming freely in the open forests of Kuno National Park (KNP) in Madhya Pradesh, and 10 cheetahs in rehabilitation enclosures. Among these are 14 India-born cubs, signifying the project’s early success in terms of reproduction and adaptation.

The project has already achieved multiple historic firsts, including the world’s first intercontinental translocation of cheetahs. In September 2022, eight cheetahs (five females and three males) were brought from Namibia and released into the wild at KNP. The following year in February 2023, 12 more cheetahs from South Africa joined the growing population.

Funding and Infrastructure

So far, over ₹112 crore has been spent on Project Cheetah across the country. Out of this, 67% of the expenditure has been utilized in Madhya Pradesh, primarily for creating infrastructure, wildlife monitoring, veterinary care, and community engagement initiatives.

Officials stressed the project’s reliance on technology, citing the use of satellite collars to ensure round-the-clock monitoring of the cheetahs. This allows for real-time tracking, health status updates, and immediate intervention in case of emergencies.

Future Expansion: Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary & Interstate Collaboration

Looking ahead, there are plans to relocate some of the cheetahs to Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary, located along the Madhya Pradesh-Rajasthan border. For this, an in-principle agreement has been signed between the two states to develop an interstate cheetah conservation zone, which would facilitate broader movement and better genetic diversity among the cheetahs.

This expansion is seen as critical for the long-term viability of the cheetah population in India, reducing the pressure on Kuno National Park and enabling greater dispersion across suitable habitats.

Why Cheetahs Matter

The cheetah, once native to India, was declared extinct in 1952 due to habitat loss, hunting, and prey depletion. Project Cheetah represents India’s earnest attempt at ecological restoration and has the dual goals of biodiversity conservation and eco-tourism development.

The presence of cheetahs is expected to strengthen grassland ecosystems, promote environmental awareness, and boost local economies through tourism. Furthermore, the initiative contributes to global biodiversity efforts, aligning with international conventions such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

Challenges Along the Way

Despite its promising trajectory, Project Cheetah has not been without challenges. There have been mortalities among some of the translocated cheetahs, prompting experts to raise concerns about India’s habitat readiness, the adequacy of prey base, and human-wildlife conflict risks. In response, officials have adopted adaptive management strategies, including veterinary interventions, enclosure upgrades, and focused community outreach.

The NTCA has also ramped up efforts in capacity building by training forest staff, improving infrastructure, and enhancing surveillance mechanisms. The adoption of satellite collar tracking and radio telemetry has vastly improved the responsiveness and efficiency of the field teams.

Looking Forward: What’s Next for Project Cheetah

As Project Cheetah moves into its next phase, the focus will be on:

• Successful integration of the new cheetahs from Botswana and their adaptation to Indian habitats.

• Improving prey density in new sanctuaries like Gandhi Sagar to support additional cheetah populations.

• Securing legal frameworks and bilateral agreements with countries like Kenya to diversify the cheetah gene pool.

• Ensuring public engagement, where local communities are active stakeholders in conservation.

The long-term goal is to establish a self-sustaining population of cheetahs in India, capable of breeding naturally and adapting fully to their environment.

Conclusion

Project Cheetah stands at a critical juncture, balancing success with caution. With the arrival of eight more cheetahs from Botswana, India takes another leap forward in its historic mission to reintroduce the world’s fastest land animal to its native soil. As efforts continue to build robust ecosystems and ensure harmonious coexistence, Project Cheetah may well become a model for wildlife reintroduction across the globe.

By combining scientific precision, international collaboration, and local involvement, India is scripting a powerful story of wildlife revival, one cheetah at a time.

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