Project Cheetah Highlights: Protect cheetahs, don't let anyone enter Kuno, PM tells wildlife caretakers

India on Saturday released 8 cheetahs into wild, decades after extinction. PM Narendra Modi released the cheetahs flown in from Namibia into special enclosure in Kuno National Park of Madhya Pradesh.

No serious efforts made for decades to reintroduce cheetahs in India: PM Modi targets previous govt

"It is unfortunate that we declared cheetahs extinct in 1952, but for decades no constructive efforts were made to reintroduce them in India. Now, with new strength and vigour, the country has embarked on the project of reviving the population of cheetahsduring this 'amrit kaal'," he said. Read more

(PTI Photo)

Following international guidelines, India trying its best to settle cheetahs, says Modi

Why was Kuno national park chosen for India's cheetah reintroduction?

Based on the assessments of Wildlife Institute of India and Wildlife Trust of India, the Kuno National Park was found suitable for the cheetahs due to its climatic condition and vegetation.

The cheetahs, used to the African savanna, should have little trouble getting used to Kuno as the national park consists of, among other things such as a riverine forest, a dry savanna forest. Read more

In its 'Cheetah Mitra' initiative, the government roped in volunteers to raise awareness about the Cheetah Project and provide information about the animal so as to protect nearby residents and prevent untoward incidents. One of the notable personalities who has been made a 'Cheetah Mitra' is former dacoit Ramesh Sikarwar.

As cheetahs come to Kuno, real estate rates in neighbouring areas surge

After much anticipation, India welcomed eight Namibian cheetahs in the grasslands of Kuno National Park in a bid to reintroduce the spotted cat in the country seven decades after it was declared extinct.

The move, debated by wildlife experts, has many biologists worrying if endangered cheetahs would be safe in a country vying for real estate in a space where land crunch has prices soaring already. Experts also worry if such a relocation will yield fruit in the long term and cheetahs will not be killed, poached or attacked by other predators. Read more

"These cheetahs were handed over to you as we have full faith in you; People will not break my faith in them," PM Modi said after releasing cheetahs flown from Namibia, in Kuno national park.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks with wildlife caretakers after releasingcheetahsinside a special enclosure of the Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh. (PTI Photo)

Cheetahs had to go hungry before stepping into Indian soil

The cheetahs remained without food during the transcontinental journey and will be given something to eat now that they have been released in the enclosures, the official said. A dais was set up in the Park under which special cages carrying cheetahs were kept and Modi, who turned 72 on Saturday, released three of them in an enclosure by operating a lever.

The tamasha orchestrated by PM today is unwarranted: Jairam Ramesh

PM Modi releasing cheetahs into their new home

Cheetahs,after the post import quarantine, will be soft released in larger enclosures for further acclimatisation.

Nature and environment matter of sensibility and spirituality: PM Modi

"Nature and environment, animals and birds, are not just a matter of sustainability and security for India. For us, they are also the basis of our sensibility and spirituality."

Let us treat the global challenges not just as the problem of the world but our own challenges: PM Modi

Not only India, but the entire world depends on wedland ecology. Today there are 75 wetlands that have been declared as Ramsar sites. Today, we need to look at the world problems holistically. Let us treat the global challenges not just as the problem of the world but our own challenges.

Along with protecting the environment, the progress of the country can also happen: PM Modi

"Today, the India of the 21st century is giving a message to the whole world that economy and ecology are not conflicting fields. Along with protecting the environment, the progress of the country can also happen, India has shown this to the world"

For these cheetahs to be able to make Kuno National Park their home, we will have to give these cheetahs some time: PM

"The countrymen will have to show patience, wait for a few months to see the cheetahs released in the Kuno National Park. Today these cheetahs have come as guests, unaware of this area. For these cheetahs to be able to make Kuno National Park their home, we will have to give these cheetahs a few months' time"

When cheetahs run again in Kuno National Park, the grassland ecosystem will be restored, says PM Modi

Even though this action of ours has no importance from the political standpoint, we have still worked very hard, created a full fledged action plan to make this mission successful.It is true that, when nature and environment are protected, then our future is also secure. The avenues for growth and prosperity also open up. When cheetahs run again in Kuno National Park, the grassland ecosystem will be restored, biodiversity will increase further

Saddening that even after declaring cheetahs extinct 70 years back, no step was taken to bring them back: PM Modi

Cheetahs flown in from Namibia, step onto Indian soil after 70 years

Cheetahs step out of their cage at Kuno National Park

#CheetahIsBack: Cheetahs released in Kuno by PM Modi

PM Modi releases 8 cheetahs into Kuno National Park

PM Modi lands at the Indian Air Force Station in Gwalior

Earlier visuals of 8 cheetahs from Namibia being brought out of the special chartered cargo flight

Live: Watch PM Modi release cheetahs in Kuno National Park

Cheetahs arrive at Kuno National Park

From extinction to re-introduction: Brief history of Indian cheetah

The cheetah is the only large carnivore that got completely wiped out from India, mainly due to their use for coursing, sport hunting, over-hunting and habitat loss. Maharaja Ramanuj Pratap Singh Deo of Korea, Madhya Pradesh is believed to have killed the last three cheetahs in the country in 1947. In 1952, the Indian government officially declared the cheetah extinct in the country.
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Cheetah reintroduction plan in India: Optimists, sceptics wait with bated breath

In an ambitious and controversial plan, India is set to reintroduce cheetahs into its forests, nearly seven decades after losing the species to human conflict and hunting.

Read more

Cheetahs on flight to Kuno National Park from Gwalior Air Force Station

Scindia shares glimpses of transfer process of Cheetahs to IAF's Chinook

PM Modi leaves for MP, set to release cheetahs at Kuno National Park

Jyotiraditya Scindia at Gwalior airport to welcome cheetahs

Cheetahs had a great flight, very calm and relaxed: Eli Walker, Conservation Biologist

Cheetahs are being transferred to Chinook helicopter

Preparations underway at Kuno-Palpur National Park where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will release cheetahs brought from Namibia

Credit: PTI Photo

India welcomes cheetahs after gap of 70 years

#CheetahIsBack: Sadhguru extends well wishes for the initiative

Special cargo carrying cheetahs lands at IAF station Gwalior

Special cargo plane carrying cheetahs from Namibia has left for Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh

Cheetahs from Namibia on their way to India; PM to release them in Kuno National Park on Sep 17

The special cargo flight carrying eight cheetahs from Namibia left for Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh on Friday night and the felines will be released in special enclosures in the state's Kuno National Park (KNP) by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday morning, officials said. At around 10.45 am on September 17, which is also Modi's birthday, three of the cheetahs will be released in quarantine enclosures of the park by the Prime Minister.