Parliament Question: Monitoring and tracking of cheetahs

OIH GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1505 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.02.2026 Monitoring and tracking of cheetahs 1505. SHRI NEERAJ DANGI: Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state: (a) the reasons for cheetahs repeatedly moving out of sanctuaries and whether this is due to habitat issues, prey availability or management deficiencies; (b) whether the monitoring and tracking system for cheetahs is not functioning effectively, and if so, the concrete steps taken to improve its efficiency; (c) the number of cheetah deaths recorded since inception of the Cheetah Project and the details of expenditure incurred on the project, so far; and (d) the Government’s strategy to address potential increases in human-wildlife conflict due to cheetah dispersal? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH) (a) Being a wide ranging species, cheetahs tend to temporarily venture out of their home ranges due to their natural exploratory behaviour. This is due to inherent nature of the animal and helps them to locate prey, water sources and safe habitat. (b) The monitoring and tracking system for Cheetahs in India is functioning effectively and has helped in gaining valuable insights into Cheetah movement ecology, their home range and territory sizes and the way the species has adapted to Indian conditions. (c) Cheetah deaths occur due to mix of natural and ecological factors. Despite the robust management system in place, a total of 9 cheetahs brought into India from Namibia and South Africa have died while 12 Indian born cubs have succumbed to various causes. Rs. 38.70 crore under the ongoing Centrally Sponsored Scheme has been allocated to Cheetah Introduction Project for the years 2021-22 to 2025-26. (d) Compensation is paid promptly for any loss of cattle or other domestic animals. No incidents of human injury or death due to cheetahs have been reported so far. *****