PM praises conservationists as India's cheetah population hits a record 32
On the International Cheetah Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his warm wishes to nature enthusiasts and conservationists across the country. Highlighting the success of the government’s ambitious "Project Cheetah," the Prime Minister emphasized the initiative's role in restoring India’s lost ecological heritage and bolstering national biodiversity.
In a social media message posted on platform X, PM Modi expressed his gratitude to those dedicated to protecting these magnificent big cats. He recalled that the project was launched three years ago not just to reintroduce the species, but to revitalize the ecosystems where they thrive. "It was an effort to revive lost ecological heritage and strengthen our biodiversity," the Prime Minister remarked.
A Victory for Conservation and Tourism
The Prime Minister noted that skepticism surrounded the reintroduction initially, but the results have been encouraging. He pointed out the rising popularity of cheetah tourism, inviting wildlife lovers globally to visit India and witness these animals in their natural habitats at Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary.
PM Modi credited this success to the collective spirit of the Indian people, particularly the "Cheetah Mitras" who work on the ground. He stated that living in harmony with nature is a core part of India's civilizational ethos, a spirit that is clearly visible in these conservation efforts.
Rising Numbers: A Global Success Story
The statistics surrounding Project Cheetah are proving the critics wrong. From the initial 20 cheetahs brought from Namibia and South Africa between 2022 and 2023, the population has seen healthy growth. As of December 2025, India is home to 32 thriving cheetahs.
Remarkably, 21 of these are cubs born on Indian soil, making it one of the most successful reintroduction projects in the world. Recently, a female cheetah named Mukhi gave birth to five healthy cubs, further boosting the numbers.
Celebrations at Kuno National Park
To mark International Cheetah Day, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav is scheduled to visit Kuno National Park. He will oversee the release of a female cheetah, Veera, along with her two 10-month-old cubs into the wild Parond Forest area.
The state government has ensured that these animals will be monitored closely by field teams using advanced radio tracking. During the event, CM Yadav will also unveil a new field manual for cheetah management, release the 2026 park calendar, and inaugurate a souvenir shop designed to enhance the experience for tourists visiting the reserve.
With Agency Inputs
