NEWS: Madhya Pradesh’s Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary has emerged as India’s second cheetah habitat after Kuno National Park, strengthening the long-term conservation strategy under Project Cheetah.

ABOUT PROJECT CHEETAH

• India’s present cheetah reintroduction programme began in September 2022.
• The Action Plan for Reintroduction of Cheetah in India envisaged bringing 50 cheetahs from African countries over five years.
• Kuno National Park (MP) was selected as the first major habitat due to suitable habitat and prey availability.

GANDHI SAGAR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

• Located in Mandsaur and Neemuch districts, Madhya Pradesh, along the Rajasthan border.
• Notified in 1974; area: about 368.62 sq km.
• The Chambal River divides the sanctuary into two parts.
• Gandhi Sagar Dam is located within the sanctuary.
• Landscape includes savanna, grasslands and dry deciduous vegetation.

RECENT DEVELOPMENT

• CCB-2, a 3-year-old female cheetah from Botswana, was relocated from Kuno to Gandhi Sagar.
• Gandhi Sagar earlier received male cheetahs Pawak and Prabhas in April 2025.
• With CCB-2, Gandhi Sagar has four cheetahs — 2 males and 2 females.
• KGP12, an India-born female cheetah, gave birth to four cubs at Kuno, representing the second generation of cheetahs born in India.

SIGNIFICANCE

• Creates a second geographical population, reducing dependence on Kuno.
• Increases breeding potential and long-term population viability.
• Promotes genetic diversity and landscape-level conservation.
• Supports conservation of grassland ecosystems and prey species.