Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh, India, has recently been in the news due to its role in the cheetah reintroduction project .
The recent developments:
- Cheetah Relocation: Two cheetahs, Prabhash and Pawak, were relocated from Kuno National Park to Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary on April 20, 2025 . This marks Gandhi Sagar as the second home for cheetahs in India, after Kuno National Park .
- Preparation and Infrastructure: Significant preparations have been made to accommodate the cheetahs, including an 8,900-hectare area specially prepared for them . A 64-acre enclosure and a renovated hospital are also ready, ensuring adequate water and prey sources .
- Purpose of Relocation: The relocation aims to expand the cheetah population and conserve the species in India . Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary provides an ideal environment for cheetahs, prompting the state to introduce them there .
- Future Plans: The state government intends to bring eight more cheetahs from Botswana and Kenya by May .
- Concerns and Opposition: Some wildlife activists oppose keeping different cheetah sub-species together, citing the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) protocol . There are concerns about mixing South African and Botswana cheetahs .
- Habitat and Prey Base: Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary boasts a substantial population of spotted deer, Indian gazelles, and blue bulls, ensuring a sufficient food supply for the cheetahs .
- Tourism Boost: The relocation is expected to boost wildlife tourism in the region .
- Cheetal Deer Release: Prior to the cheetah relocation, the sanctuary focused on increasing its prey base by releasing Cheetal Deer .
