Cheetahs May Move From Madhya Pradesh to Gujarat

Why this is here: Preparations at Banni grasslands include developing a 600-hectare fenced area with roughly ten enclosures for cheetahs.

Gujarat officials are preparing Banni grasslands in Kutch to receive five to six cheetahs from Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh. The relocation awaits approval from the National Tiger Conservation Authority. Habitat assessments confirm Banni’s savannah-like terrain and prey base could support the cheetahs, mirroring East African landscapes where they historically lived.

The forest department is building roughly ten quarantine and soft-release enclosures across 50 hectares. This larger area is part of a 600-hectare fenced zone. Preparations also include veterinary facilities and emergency response systems, drawing on experience from Gir National Park.

The ₹20 crore project, funded by the central government, aims to expand India’s cheetah reintroduction program. Officials note the cheetahs being considered for relocation arrived from Namibia, South Africa, and Botswana. A fixed timeline for the move remains unclear, as final approval from the NTCA is still pending.