Cheetahs to Be Relocated to Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh on April 20

Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, located on the border of Mandsaur and Neemuch districts in Madhya Pradesh, is set to become the second home for cheetahs in India after Kuno National Park (KNP) in Sheopur district. Union Minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav announced that two cheetahs from KNP will be relocated to the sanctuary on April 20, 2025, as part of Project Cheetah.

The relocation plan was finalized during a National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) meeting held in Bhopal on Friday, April 18, 2025, attended by Bhupender Yadav and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav. The meeting reviewed the Cheetah Project and discussed expanding cheetah habitats to Gandhi Sagar and potentially Banni Grasslands in Gujarat. Chief Minister Yadav confirmed the transfer of two cheetahs, likely a South African male coalition named Prabhas and Pavak, to Gandhi Sagar on April 20, marking a significant step in wildlife conservation.

Preparations at Gandhi Sagar have been ongoing for over two years, with infrastructure like enclosures and prey bases, including chital and gaur, established to support the cheetahs. The sanctuary, spanning 368 square kilometers, features a savanna-like habitat ideal for cheetahs, with the Chambal River dividing it into two parts. An interstate agreement with Rajasthan is also in place to create a cheetah conservation area, as the sanctuary borders Rajasthan.

Additionally, the NTCA revealed plans to import eight more cheetahs from Botswana in two phases, with four expected to arrive by May 2025. Discussions are underway to source cheetahs from Kenya and South Africa to bolster the project. The NTCA reported that over ₹112 crore has been invested in the Cheetah Project, with 67% allocated to rehabilitation efforts in Madhya Pradesh.

Currently, KNP hosts 26 cheetahs, including 16 in the wild and 10 in enclosures, with 14 cubs born in India. Female cheetahs Jwala, Asha, Gamini, and Veera have contributed to the population growth. The state government is seeking Supreme Court approval for a cheetah safari in KNP to boost eco-tourism, which has doubled tourist numbers in two years.

Chief Minister Yadav emphasized that Gandhi Sagar’s ideal environment and the high survival rate of cheetah cubs in Madhya Pradesh make it a promising habitat. The relocation will be supported by trained “cheetah mitras” and 24-hour satellite tracking to ensure the animals’ safety.