International Cheetah Day: Where to see the big cat in India?

Once upon a time in India, cheetahs were quite common, especially in various regions of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Around the 1940s, the animal went extinct here due to overhunting. However, India launched Project Cheetah around 2022 by bringing the animals to the country from Africa. It was also lauded as the first attempt in the world to reintroduce the animal to a region where it had gone extinct. As we celebrate International Cheetah Day today, India too has a few spots where we can spot the wild cat in all its glory. 

Where to see cheetahs in India
Though many cheetahs brought to India initially lost their lives, a few acclimatised to our soil, and quite a few were born here after 2022. Now, India has around 32 cheetahs, of which 21 are India-born cubs. Last month, an Indian-born cheetah also gave birth to five healthy cubs. Madhya Pradesh's Kuno National Park has around 29 cheetahs. A few have also been moved to the Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh. 

How to book a safari
Since October this year, the Kuno National Park has launched morning and afternoon safaris, which can be booked online to check out cheetahs. The safari in gipsies and jeeps with a guide should be booked in advance, according to authorities. The website advises booking tickets at least 120 days in advance, as only a limited number of vehicles are allowed to enter at a time. 

PM Modi welcomes tourists
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a post on X on International Cheetah Day, said, "Three years ago, our Government launched Project Cheetah to safeguard this magnificent animal and restore the ecosystem in which it can truly flourish. It was also an effort to revive lost ecological heritage and strengthen our biodiversity." He also extended his wishes to wildlife lovers and conservationists dedicated to protecting the wildcat. 
(With inputs from PTI)