Why in news?
Kuno National Park saw significant developments in Project Cheetah during February 2026. Key highlights include cheetah births and new arrivals from Botswana.
About Kuno National Park
Kuno National Park, located in the Sheopur and Shivpuri districts of Madhya Pradesh, India, is one of the country’s most significant wildlife reserves. It has gained global attention as the site of Project Cheetah, India’s ambitious initiative to reintroduce cheetahs after they went extinct in the country decades ago.
Key Facts
- Location: Sheopur & Shivpuri districts, Madhya Pradesh
- Area: ~748.76 km²
- Established: 1981 (as a wildlife sanctuary), upgraded to National Park in 2018
- Named after: The Kuno River, which flows through the park
- Nearest cities: Gwalior, Shivpuri, Sheopur
Wildlife
- Cheetahs: The park is the only place in India where cheetahs have been reintroduced. Recent updates confirm the arrival of nine cheetahs from Botswana in February 2026, bringing India’s total cheetah population to 39. One of the South African cheetahs, Gamini, has even given birth to four cubs, marking a major milestone for the project.
- Other species: Leopards, Indian wolves, sloth bears, striped hyenas, jackals, and a variety of deer and antelope species.
- Vegetation: Unique forest types with Kardhai, Salai, and Khair trees, alongside expansive grasslands larger than those in Kanha or Bandhavgarh.
About Project Cheetah
Project Cheetah is India’s flagship conservation program aimed at reintroducing the cheetah, which went extinct in the country in 1952. It is the world’s first intercontinental translocation of a large carnivore.
Background
- Extinction in India: The Asiatic cheetah disappeared from India due to hunting and habitat loss.
- Launch: Officially initiated in 2022, with the first batch of cheetahs arriving from Namibia.
- Sites: Kuno National Park (Madhya Pradesh) is the primary release site, with Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary also being prepared.
Objectives
- Restore the cheetah to its historical range in India.
- Re-establish its ecological role as a top predator in grassland ecosystems.
- Serve as a flagship species to conserve grasslands and semi-arid habitats.
- Enhance biodiversity and eco-tourism opportunities.
Challenges & Criticism
- Habitat capacity: Concerns exist about whether Kuno has sufficient prey base and space for a growing cheetah population.
- Human-wildlife conflict: Villages around the park raise issues of livestock predation.
- Survival rates: Some cheetahs have died due to stress, climate, or adaptation difficulties.
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