India is set to establish its first inter-state cheetah conservation corridor, connecting Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, as part of the ambitious Project Cheetah. This initiative aims to facilitate the free movement of cheetahs across a vast protected landscape, enhancing their chances of survival and promoting biodiversity.

Corridor Overview

The proposed corridor will span approximately 17,000 square kilometers, linking key wildlife habitats:

• Palpur Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh

• Mukundara Hills Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan

This expansive corridor will traverse 27 districts across three states—13 in Rajasthan, 12 in Madhya Pradesh, and 2 in Uttar Pradesh—providing a connected route for cheetahs to roam freely in a protected and connected habitat.

Project Cheetah Progress

Under Project Cheetah, India has reintroduced cheetahs into the wild after their extinction in the country over 70 years ago. The first batches of cheetahs arrived from Namibia and South Africa in 2022 and 2023, respectively, and were released into Kuno National Park. Recently, two male cheetahs were relocated from Kuno to Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, marking the expansion of the project. 

Future Plans

Discussions are underway to include parts of Uttar Pradesh, specifically the forest areas of Jhansi and Lalitpur, within the extended landscape. An official Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan is in the pipeline, awaiting final approval. 

This corridor represents a significant step in India's wildlife conservation efforts, aiming to restore the cheetah population and ensure ecological balance across the region.