Context:

Recently, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced that the Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary will become the third home for cheetahs in the State after Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary.

About Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary:

Located in the Sagar and Damoh districts of Madhya Pradesh, Nauradehi is the largest wildlife sanctuary in the state, covering about 1,200 sq km.

Its mosaic of dry deciduous forests, grasslands, and scrub provides an ideal landscape for cheetahs, similar to their native African habitats.

The sanctuary already hosts species like chital, blackbuck, nilgai, and wild boar, which can serve as natural prey for cheetahs.

About Project Cheetah

The cheetah, once widespread across India, was officially declared extinct in 1952 due to hunting and habitat loss.

·        In September 2022, under Project Cheetah, India reintroduced eight African cheetahs in Kuno National Park (Sheopur, MP) in collaboration with Namibia and South Africa.

·        Later, Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary was identified as the second reintroduction site to expand habitat and reduce population pressure on Kuno.

·        The inclusion of Nauradehi Sanctuary marks a further expansion of this ambitious initiative, aiming to establish multiple, geographically dispersed populations to enhance the species’ long-term viability.

Key Objectives:

Reintroduce cheetahs to perform their functional role as top predators, maintaining prey population health and environmental balance.

Support global conservation efforts by establishing a cheetah population in India.

Generate revenue for local communities through eco-tourism, promoting coexistence with wildlife

About Cheetah:

Cheetahs are the world's fastest land animals, capable of reaching speeds up to 120 km/h120 km/h

·        Communication: Unlike other big cats, they do not roar; they use high-pitched chirps and barks.

·        Hunting: They use a unique tripping technique with their semi-retractable claws to hunt.

·        Protection:

• IUCN: Listed as Vulnerable.
• CITES: Listed in Appendix I.
• India: Listed under Schedule II of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. 

Conclusion:

The establishment of Nauradehi Sanctuary as the third cheetah habitat marks another milestone in India’s conservation journey. With sustained habitat management, scientific monitoring, and community engagement, Madhya Pradesh is poised to emerge as the “Cheetah State of India”, leading the country’s broader vision of restoring lost species and ecological balance.