Now the leopards have become 'desi', they like the air and water of India, on this day PM Modi had released leopards in Kuno

News Topical, Digital Desk : Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ambitious cheetah relocation project completed three years on Wednesday. The reintroduction of cheetahs to the country after 70 years was inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi himself on September 17, 2022, in Kuno National Park in Sheopur district, Madhya Pradesh.

On September 17, 2022, PM Modi released cheetahs in Kuno.

In the first phase, eight cheetahs were brought from Namibia and released into the park's enclosure by the Prime Minister. In the second phase, 12 cheetahs were brought from South Africa and released here. There was great concern then about whether the cheetahs would be able to survive in the local climate.

Despite initial difficulties, the cheetahs adapted themselves to this place. Their population also grew. The cheetahs liked the climate (water and air) here. The African cheetahs also became 'native'. Hence, the idea of ​​settling them in other places also started being considered.

Gandhisagar Sanctuary (Mandsaur) became the second habitat of cheetahs

Gandhisagar Sanctuary (Mandsaur) of Madhya Pradesh became the second habitat of cheetahs. After keeping the cheetahs in the enclosure of Kuno Park for a long time, many challenges arose when they were released in the open forest. The cheetahs crossed the boundary of the forest many times. They reached the border of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.

Sometimes they returned on their own and sometimes they had to be tranquillized and brought back. Leopards started hunting traditionally in the forest. Even the villagers outside the forest have understood the behavior of leopards. Now preparations are also underway to bring a new batch of leopards.

Cheetahs had died earlier

For this, a team of senior officials of the Indian government from Botswana, Kenya and South Africa are in discussions. Initially, when the series of deaths of cheetahs started, it was revealed that the death of fifty percent of the cheetahs could be possible. Now the perception has changed.

Chief Forest Conservator Uttam Kumar says that the figures of survival of cheetahs cannot be given right now, this situation will be known after eight to ten years. Cheetahs are being monitored in the re-introduction program, their care is going on. Cheetahs are being born here, they are getting acclimatized to the environment.

Today a female cheetah will be released in Gandhisagar sanctuary

Male cheetahs Pavak and Prabhas were released in Gandhisagar sanctuary, the second habitat of cheetahs in Madhya Pradesh, on April 20. On completion of three years of cheetah project on Wednesday, female cheetah Dhira will be shifted here so that the population of cheetahs can increase in Gandhisagar as well.

Dheera was brought to Kuno Park from South Africa. On Wednesday, she will be taken from Kuno to Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary via Kota-Jhalawar in Rajasthan in a special vehicle. The distance of 360 km will be covered in about eight hours. Dheera will be released in Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary by Wednesday evening.

11 cubs were born last year

Now there are a total of 25 leopards, out of which nine are adults. Among them, six are female and three are male. Out of these, 16 leopards were born in the country. Out of these, two leopards have been released in Gandhisagar sanctuary. Till now, a total of 26 cubs have been born, out of which nine have died. Last year, 11 cubs were born. This year, so far, five cubs have been born.

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