Parliament Question: Cheetah Reintroduction Project

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5044 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.03.2026 Cheetah Reintroduction Project 5044. SHRI G KUMAR NAIK: Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state: (a) the details of total number of cheetahs translocated in the Country, since the launch of the Cheetah Reintroduction Project in 2022, National Park-wise; (b) the details of total number of cheetah deaths recorded so far, including adult and cub mortalities, disaggregated by National Park, year-wise; (c) the details of total number of cheetah births under the Project so far, along with survival rates, location-wise; (d) the list of foreign countries that have participated in supplying or supporting cheetahs for the Project and whether any of these countries have suspended, withdrawn or refused further participation along with the reasons communicated to the Government; and (e) whether the Government is collaborating with any private conservation or wildlife management entities in the Country for the care, rearing or rehabilitation of the translocated cheetahs and their cubs and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH) (a) Eight cheetahs from Namibia, twelve cheetahs from South Africa and nine cheetahs from Botswana have been translocated to India in Kuno National Park (KNP), Madhya Pradesh. Out of these 29 cheetahs, 3 cheetahs were further translocated to Gandhisagar Wildlife Sanctuary (GSWLS), Madhya Pradesh. (b) As reported by the State, the details of cheetah deaths is as under: S. No. Year Protected Area Adult deaths Cub deaths 1 2022 Kuno - - 2 2023 Kuno 6 3 3 2024 Kuno 2 4 4 2025 Kuno 1 5 5 2026 Kuno - - (c) As reported by the State, 45 cubs were born in Kuno National Park, India, out of which 33 cubs are surviving in KNP. The survival rate of Cheetah cubs is 73.33% and overall survival rate of cheetahs is 71.62% (70.42% in Kuno and 100% in Gandhisagar). The survival rates of cheetah is one of the highest in the world when compared with such cheetah translocation projects undertaken across the globe.(d) The Government of India has translocated cheetahs from South Africa, Namibia and Botswana as per the bilateral engagements. The implementation of Project Cheetah is a continuous process which is undertaken as per these bilateral engagements. None of these countries have suspended or withdrawn from these engagements. (e) The Wildlife Institute of India in consultation with Madhya Pradesh Forest Department and National Tiger Conservation Authority has prepared a detailed scientific action plan as per IUCN Guidelines. To ensure conservation and protection of Cheetahs in India, proactive actions are being undertaken as per scientific action plan which has been prepared with the inputs and expertise from the leading Cheetah experts including biologists, ecologists, conservationists and managers. A Cheetah Project Steering Committee has been constituted to review progress, monitor and advice on the Cheetah introduction in consultation with international cheetah experts as and when required. *****