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Cheetah Comeback Success: How MP's Tourism Surged 5-Fold After Kuno Project

Madhya Pradesh's tourism has skyrocketed thanks to the cheetah project's success. The Chief Minister celebrated this by releasing a cheetah family into Kuno National Park. He highlighted how third-generation cheetahs are now roaming free on Indian soil. This conservation win is also creating new jobs for local communities.

Key Points: MP CM Yadav Credits Cheetah Project for Five-Fold Tourism Surge

  • CM Yadav released cheetah Veera and her two cubs into Kuno's open forest
  • The project now hosts 32 cheetahs in MP after initial setbacks
  • A landmark event saw Indian-born cheetah Mukhi give birth to five surviving cubs
  • The growing population has created jobs for resettled communities near Kuno
2 min read

Tourism jumped 5 fold after Cheetah project's success: MP CM

Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav reveals tourism jumped five times after the successful cheetah reintroduction at Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar.

"With the successful rehabilitation of cheetahs, Kuno National Park has emerged as a centre of international importance. - CM Mohan Yadav"

Sheopur, Dec 4

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Thursday said tourism in the state has surged five times following the successful implementation of the cheetah reintroduction project at Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary.

Speaking at a ceremonial event marking International Cheetah Day, Yadav released African female cheetah Veera and her two 10-month-old cubs into the open forest at Kuno.

He also unveiled the Kuno National Park Calendar–2026, a book titled Field Manual for Clinical Management of Free-Ranging Cheetahs in Kuno National Park, and inaugurated a souvenir shop.

“With the successful rehabilitation of cheetahs, Kuno National Park has emerged as a centre of international importance. Third-generation cheetahs born on Indian soil are now roaming freely,” Yadav said, adding that the animals have expanded their range from Sheopur to Morena and even into Rajasthan.

The Chief Minister credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav for launching the project.

PM Modi had released eight Namibian cheetahs at Kuno on September 17, 2022, followed by 12 more from South Africa on February 18, 2023.

Despite initial setbacks, including the deaths of several felines, the project now boasts 32 cheetahs in Madhya Pradesh.

The biggest milestone came on November 20 when an Indian-born female cheetah, Mukhi, gave birth to five cubs, all of which have survived.

Yadav said the growing cheetah population has created employment opportunities for resettled communities around Kuno, who have adapted to coexist with the big cats.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
A 5x increase in tourism is no joke! This project was a bold move and it's paying off. I visited Kuno last year and the energy there is different. It's putting MP firmly on the global wildlife map. Hope the momentum continues.
A
Aman W
While the success is commendable, we must remember the initial setbacks and the cheetahs we lost. It's crucial that the field manual and proper management are followed strictly. Conservation is a long-term commitment, not just a photo-op.
S
Sarah B
As someone who loves wildlife tourism, this is incredible. From 8 cheetahs to 32, with third-generation cubs! It shows what proper planning and dedication can achieve. MP is now a must-visit for any wildlife enthusiast.
V
Vikram M
The best part is the employment for local communities. When people see a direct benefit from protecting animals, they become the biggest champions of conservation. This model should be replicated in other parks across India.
K
Karthik V
Five cubs from Mukhi! That's the real headline. Births in the wild are the ultimate sign of a project's success. It means the cheetahs feel at home. Jai Ho to the forest staff and researchers working on the ground. 🙏

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