Sheopur (MP), Jun 22 (PTI) President Droupadi Murmu on Monday interacted with ‘Cheetah Mitras’ to learn about the conservation efforts of the fastest land animal at Kuno National Park, home to the reintroduced cheetahs, in Sheopur district of Madhya Pradesh.
She was apprised about the efforts to protect cheetahs and raise public awareness about their behaviour during the one-on-one discussions, which prompted her to commend the voluntary efforts of ‘Cheetah Mitras’ for the cheetah conservation project, an official said.
Cheetah Mitras are specially trained local volunteers, often comprising members of the indigenous Sahariya tribe, who act as community liaisons and protectors for the reintroduced cheetahs in Kuno National Park.
The volunteers told
the President that they are present in all villages adjoining the KNP and have been raising awareness about cheetah conservation and behaviour, the official said.
Villagers are also being informed that cheetahs naturally do not harm anyone. When they are sighted in populated areas or fields, the Forest Department should be immediately informed to prevent them from being harmed. This project is crucial for the reintroduction of cheetahs in India, according to the official.
Cheetah Mitras hailing from Silori, Hathedi, Sesaipura, Palpur, Para, Karahal, Sesaipura, and Moravan villages were present, the official said.
Principal Secretary of the Forest Department, Sandeep Yadav, Head of Forest Force (HoFF), Shubharjan Sen, and other senior officials were present on the occasion.
The President visited the KNP on Sunday and toured the Cheetah Command and Control Centre. She was briefed on the monitoring and tracking mechanisms for the big cats. She also viewed an exhibition showcasing the progress achieved under the cheetah reintroduction project so far.
After interacting with the cheetah mitras, the President left for Gwalior by helicopter, from where she departed for Delhi in an IAF plane, according to the official.
The Project Cheetah, launched on September 17, 2022, aims to reintroduce the cheetah in India after its extinction in the country, embodying India’s steadfast commitment to biodiversity restoration.
Under the project, the Kuno National Park has been developed as India’s first cheetah reintroduction site, as it offers ideal habitat, abundant prey, and minimal human disturbance, as per officials.
The first batch of cheetahs was brought to the KNP from Namibia in September 2022, the second batch arrived from South Africa in February 2023, and the third batch was brought from Botswana in February 2026.
During her state visit to Botswana in November 2025, Murmu witnessed the symbolic donation of eight cheetahs, which were brought to Kuno in February this year.
The number of cheetahs born in India is 32. PTI MAS GK NSK
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