KUNO: Madhya Pradesh celebrated a landmark moment in wildlife conservation on December 4 as Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav released a female cheetah, Vira, along with her two 10-month-old cubs from a large enclosure into the open forests of Kuno National Park in Sheopur district. The event was held to mark International Cheetah Day, making it a significant milestone for India’s ambitious cheetah reintroduction programme.
With this release, the number of cheetahs roaming freely in Kuno’s open landscape has risen to 19, strengthening the park’s position as a key centre for the revival of the species in Asia.
Key Releases and New Initiatives Launched at Kuno
During his visit, Chief Minister Dr. Yadav also unveiled the Kuno National Park Calendar 2026 and the “Field Manual for Clinical Management of Free-Ranging Cheetahs in Kuno National Park”, a document aimed at standardising scientific care and monitoring practices for the big cats.
Additionally, he inaugurated a new souvenir shop inside the park premises to promote eco-tourism and enhance visitor engagement.
The event was attended by Minister-in-Charge Rakesh Shukla, Chief Secretary Anurag Jain, and Additional Chief Secretary Ashok Barnwal, among other senior officials.
यशस्वी प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi जी के नेतृत्व में “प्रोजेक्ट चीता” निरंतर सफलता के नए मापदंड स्थापित कर रहा है…
— Dr Mohan Yadav (@DrMohanYadav51) December 4, 2025
आज कूनो (श्योपुर) में चीता “वीरा” और उसके दो शावकों को खुले जंगल में छोड़ा।
यह गर्व का विषय है कि कूनो नेशनल पार्क तेजी से एक अंतरराष्ट्रीय पर्यटन केन्द्र… pic.twitter.com/NYfC8A8ypm
Read also: Bhopal Introduces Shikara Boat Service, Bringing Kashmir’s Dal Lake Experience to Madhya Pradesh
“Cheetahs Are Becoming a Symbol of Madhya Pradesh’s Wildlife Revival” – CM Yadav
Addressing the gathering, CM Dr. Mohan Yadav said that India’s effort to reintroduce cheetahs in Asia is steadily achieving success.
He congratulated citizens across the country and the state on International Cheetah Day, adding that the release of Vira and her cubs marks another encouraging step in the project’s progress.
He announced that Madhya Pradesh now has 32 cheetahs, including three at Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary.
Kuno, he said, has emerged as an internationally recognised centre for cheetah conservation, with even third-generation cubs now present in the wild.
The Chief Minister expressed joy at the natural birth of five cubs to the cheetah “Mukhi,” calling it a sign of a thriving habitat. He also highlighted harmonious coexistence between local communities and wildlife—an embodiment of the ethos of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.”
Tourism and Local Livelihoods on the Rise
CM Yadav noted that tourism in the region has increased fivefold, creating new employment opportunities for local residents.
He described the cheetah as a “Kohinoor” for Madhya Pradesh, symbolising pride and global recognition.
He also mentioned that cheetahs from Kuno have dispersed as far as Rajasthan, a positive indicator of ecological adaptation and landscape connectivity.
Project Cheetah Garners National Acclaim
Under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr. Yadav, Project Cheetah in Madhya Pradesh has been honoured with the “Innovative Initiatives Award,” recognising the state’s pioneering efforts in wildlife restoration.
A Growing Legacy in Cheetah Conservation
As Kuno National Park continues to nurture and protect the cheetah population, Madhya Pradesh stands at the forefront of one of the world’s most ambitious wildlife restoration missions. The release of Vira and her cubs marks yet another chapter in India’s journey to return the cheetah to its historical landscape—and to strengthen the nation’s commitment to biodiversity and ecological harmony.
