Shillong, August 6: Union Minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, has clarified that there are no current plans to relocate cheetahs from the Kuno National Park (KNP) in Madhya Pradesh’s Sheopur district. Addressing reporters on Saturday, the minister emphasized that the government is committed to the success of the cheetah reintroduction project and is aware of its sensitivity.
As per India Today, since March of this year, nine cheetahs, including three cubs, have died at the KNP. Responding to concerns about the relocation of cheetahs, Yadav assured that there are no ongoing plans for such actions. He acknowledged that infections caused by insects during the monsoon season have been observed, resulting in the loss of two cheetahs. To tackle these challenges, the government has collaborated with experts from South Africa and Namibia to manage the situation effectively.
Yadav commended the dedicated efforts of forest officials and veterinarians working diligently at the Kuno National Park. He highlighted that this is the first year of the cheetah translocation project, which brought eight cheetahs from Namibia in September 2022 and another 12 from South Africa in February 2023. Despite the setbacks, Yadav expressed unwavering confidence in the project’s success, assuring that the government is fully committed to the well-being of each cheetah.
The reintroduction project aims to reestablish cheetahs in India after their extinction in the country in 1952. Currently, there are 15 cheetahs at the Kuno National Park, including a cub, and the government remains dedicated to making the project a triumphant and ongoing initiative.