Lok Sabha Question No. 5044 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-23
Subject: Cheetah Reintroduction Project
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri G Kumar Naik

## 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 in  supplying  or  supporting  cheetahs  for the  Project  and  whether  any  of  these  countries  have  suspended,  withdrawn  or  refused  further participation along with the reasons communicated to the Government; and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.

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