India’s ambitious cheetah reintroduction programme is all set to enter a new phase, as eight cheetahs from Botswana are scheduled to arrive in two stages, further advancing the country's efforts to restore this extinct big cat species. Officials from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) confirmed during a high-level review meeting in Bhopal that four cheetahs are expected to be translocated by May 2025, while another four will arrive shortly afterward. The meeting was attended by Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav, as well as Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.
This development comes as India continues to strengthen international collaboration with African nations, including South Africa, Botswana, and Kenya, to ensure the long-term viability and genetic diversity of cheetahs being reintroduced into Indian wildlife sanctuaries. An agreement with Kenya is currently under discussion, aimed at expanding cooperation on conservation and exchange of wildlife knowledge and resources.
So far, the Indian government has spent more than ₹112 crore on Project Cheetah, with 67% of the funds utilized in Madhya Pradesh alone. The bulk of this investment has gone into habitat development, infrastructure for monitoring, veterinary care, community engagement programmes, and training for forest staff. This includes equipping field teams with high-tech satellite collar tracking systems that enable real-time 24x7 monitoring of cheetah movements and behavior, helping in early detection of health issues, territorial disputes, and potential threats.
The project began with the historic arrival of eight cheetahs from Namibia on September 17, 2022, marking the first-ever intercontinental translocation of wild cheetahs. This was followed by a second batch of 12 cheetahs from South Africa in February 2023, under a bilateral agreement aimed at relocating around 100 cheetahs over the next several years. Today, Kuno National Park (KNP) in Madhya Pradesh is home to 26 cheetahs, which include 12 African imports and 14 India-born cubs from four different females—Jwala, Asha, Gamini, and Veera.
Given the increasing number of cheetahs and to reduce habitat pressure on Kuno, the NTCA has decided to relocate some of the cheetahs to the Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary. This sanctuary lies near the Madhya Pradesh-Rajasthan border and will soon be developed as an interstate cheetah conservation area. An in-principle agreement between the two states has been reached, and preparations for habitat readiness and prey base assessment are already underway.
In both Kuno and Gandhi Sagar, locals are being trained as cheetah mitras, or "friends of cheetahs." These trained volunteers play a vital role in building awareness, supporting forest officials, and preventing man-animal conflict in buffer zones. Their efforts are also contributing to a more inclusive conservation model that benefits both wildlife and communities.
The project has had a ripple effect on tourism as well. Forest officials reported a two-fold increase in tourist footfall at Kuno in the past two years, bringing economic benefits to local communities. The state government has even approached the Supreme Court seeking permission to launch cheetah safaris within the park. Since the region is classified as an eco-sensitive zone, judicial clearance is necessary before initiating commercial safari operations. The verdict is still awaited.
With more cheetahs soon to arrive from Botswana, and potentially Kenya in the future, India’s cheetah reintroduction efforts are gaining momentum. Conservationists view this as a landmark initiative not only in terms of species revival but also as a demonstration of international cooperation, habitat restoration, and ecosystem balance. While challenges remain—such as adapting African cheetahs to Indian conditions and ensuring their long-term survival—the project reflects India’s commitment to biodiversity and ecological heritage preservation.
