Madhya Pradesh will establish Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary as the state’s third cheetah site after Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced that cheetahs from Namibia will be released here, expanding Project Cheetah’s footprint and reducing ecological risk through multiple habitats.
Nauradehi’s inclusion builds on the success of existing cheetah populations at Kuno and Gandhi Sagar. The step will:
- Diversify habitats across the Chambal–Vindhyan landscape,
- Reduce pressure on Kuno National Park, and
- Strengthen metapopulation dynamics for long-term species survival.
The initiative will also enhance eco-tourism and community livelihoods, promoting conservation-linked development and local participation.
Translocation Plan and Source Populations
Namibia as Founder Source
The first cohort of cheetahs will be sourced from Namibia under existing inter-governmental agreements. Before full release, they will undergo soft-release acclimatisation in large enclosures to adapt to local conditions.
Monitoring and Management Protocols
Project execution will include:
- Satellite-GPS collars and continuous tracking teams,
- Prey base augmentation through habitat management,
- Veterinary support, and
- Conflict-mitigation squads near village borders.
Linked Conservation Actions and Species Swaps
Aquatic Species Recovery Efforts
The Chief Minister also released six crocodiles—four females and two males—into the Indira Sagar Dam. These crocodiles were transported from Van Vihar, Bhopal, to boost the region’s aquatic species recovery efforts.
Gharial Exchange and Riverine Restoration
A gharial exchange programme with Assam is underway to enhance breeding diversity. These aquatic conservation measures complement carnivore reintroductions, restoring the riverine trophic balance across Madhya Pradesh’s interconnected ecosystems.
Omkareshwar Sanctuary Proposal and Habitat Readiness
New Protected Area Notification
A new Omkareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary covering 61,407 hectares (≈614 sq km) across Khandwa and Dewas districts is set for notification. The State Wildlife Board has cleared the proposal, with long-term plans to upgrade it to a tiger reserve.
Integrated Conservation Package
The combined package for Nauradehi and Omkareshwar includes:
- Prey base enhancement and habitat restoration,
- Enclosure upgrades and fencing,
- Rapid response teams for conflict control, and
- Community outreach to balance eco-tourism and wildlife protection.
Exam-Oriented Facts
- Nauradehi becomes Madhya Pradesh’s third cheetah site after Kuno and Gandhi Sagar.
- Founders to be sourced from Namibia under Project Cheetah.
- Six crocodiles released at Indira Sagar Dam; gharial exchange with Assam initiated.
- Project Cheetah aims to establish a Central Indian cheetah metapopulation.
- Omkareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary (≈614 sq km) soon to be notified; possible future tiger reserve.
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