New Delhi : Claims of states have started coming forward regarding the consignment of cheetahs coming to the country by October-November this year. After Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, now Gujarat has also shown interest in settling cheetahs. Along with this, necessary preparations related to it have been speeded up in the Banni Sanctuary located in the Rann of Kutch surrounded by grasslands to keep them, which includes the construction of enclosures etc. including fencing.

It is believed that if Gujarat completes its preparations till the arrival of the new batch of cheetahs, then it is possible that some of the cheetahs from the new batch may be given to it. According to the officials associated with the cheetah project, as per the proposed plan so far, the new batch of cheetahs is to be kept in Gandhi Sagar or Nauradehi sanctuaries of Madhya Pradesh, where the preparations related to it are almost complete.

Rajasthan also hoped

Along with this, Rajasthan is also eyeing to keep the cheetahs. It is a different matter that till now it has not started any preparations for settling the cheetahs in its state. Apart from that, Gujarat has not only taken the initiative to keep them, but has also accelerated its preparations. In such a situation, Gujarat's claim for the second place for cheetahs after Madhya Pradesh has become stronger.

10-12 cheetahs can be brought

If sources are to be believed, 10 to 12 cheetahs will be brought in the new consignment under the scheme. Talks are going on with South Africa as well as Kenya regarding this. It is more likely that some of these cheetahs will be given to Gujarat as well, looking at its preparations. Anyway, under the Cheetah Project started in 2022, there is a plan to bring a total of fifty cheetahs in the next five years.

The death of seven cheetahs was a shock

Of these, eight cheetahs have been brought from Namibia in 2022 and 12 cheetahs from South Africa in 2023. They have been kept in Kuno Sanctuary of Madhya Pradesh. Although the death of seven of these cheetahs had dealt a blow to the entire project, but at present their progress is encouraging everyone. At present, their number in Kuno has increased to 27. These include 13 adult cheetahs and 14 cubs.