Madhya Pradesh’s Nauradehi wildlife sanctuary, now known as Rani Durgavati Sanctuary, is set to become India’s third home for cheetahs, as announced by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav. The state government plans to transfer some cheetahs from Kuno National Park to Nauradehi within the next two months. Project Cheetah, overseen by the National Tiger Conservation Authority, has approved Nauradehi as a habitat for cheetahs, with preparations already underway.
Nauradehi, spanning Narasinghpur, Damoh, and Sagar districts, boasts diverse flora including sal, teak, mahua, bamboo, and bel trees, along with expansive grasslands supporting various herbivores. The forest department aims to enhance the prey base by relocating cheetals from Pench and Kanha Tiger Reserves to Nauradehi. In 2010, Nauradehi was considered for cheetah reintroduction but was deferred due to pending village relocations within the sanctuary.
The cheetah population in India has surpassed 50 individuals, with recent births at Kuno National Park bringing the total to 53, including cubs and adults from Namibia, South Africa, and Botswana. Three adult cheetahs have already been released at Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Mandsaur district. The birth of five cubs at Kuno further highlights the success of Project Cheetah in Madhya Pradesh.
