Nauradehi sanctuary cleared for cheetah reintroduction

Madhya Pradesh will establish Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary as the state’s third cheetah site after Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced that cheetahs sourced from Namibia will be released in Nauradehi, expanding Project Cheetah’s footprint and dispersing risk across multiple habitats in central India.

Third cheetah site in Madhya Pradesh

Nauradehi’s selection follows functional populations and ongoing management at Kuno and Gandhi Sagar. Officials say the move will diversify habitats, reduce pressure on Kuno, and build a metapopulation across the Chambal–Vindhyan landscape. The state projects stronger tourism linkages and local livelihoods alongside conservation goals.

Translocation plan and source populations

The first cohort is planned from Namibia under existing inter-governmental arrangements for African cheetahs. Soft-release in large acclimatisation enclosures will precede phased free-range release. Protocols include satellite-GPS collars, 24×7 tracking teams, prey augmentation, veterinary support and conflict-mitigation squads around fringe villages.

Linked conservation actions and species swaps

The CM released six crocodiles—four females and two males—into the Indira Sagar Dam backwaters, transported from Van Vihar, Bhopal, as part of aquatic species recovery. A gharial exchange with Assam is being coordinated to strengthen breeding lines. These measures complement carnivore reintroductions by restoring riverine trophic balance.

Exam Oriented Facts

• Nauradehi becomes MP’s third cheetah site after Kuno and Gandhi Sagar.
• Founders to be sourced from Namibia with soft-release protocols.
• Six crocodiles released at Indira Sagar; gharial exchange with Assam planned.
• Project Cheetah aims to establish a central Indian cheetah metapopulation.

Omkareshwar sanctuary proposal and habitat readiness

A formal notification for the 61,407-hectare (≈614 sq km) Omkareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary spanning Khandwa and Dewas is imminent, adding protected cover near the Narmada. The state wildlife board has cleared the plan, envisaging eventual tiger-reserve status. Together with Nauradehi’s cheetah introduction, MP’s package includes prey base build-ups, enclosure refurbishments, fence maintenance, rapid response units, and community outreach to balance eco-tourism with strict monitoring and human-wildlife safety.