Madhya Pradesh Expands Cheetah Conservation Efforts with New Sanctuary in Nauradehi

Khandwa:

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced on Thursday that Nauradehi Sanctuary will be established as the third habitat for cheetahs in the state, joining Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary in this conservation effort.

According to CM Yadav, cheetahs will be transported from Namibia, Africa to be released into the Nauradehi Sanctuary as part of the ongoing wildlife conservation initiatives in the region.

The state government continues to implement various measures aimed at protecting and preserving diverse wildlife species across Madhya Pradesh.

"Cheetahs had previously vanished completely from the Asian continent. We successfully reintroduced these magnificent cats in Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary. Now, another cheetah sanctuary will soon be established in Nauradehi. The cheetahs will be brought from Namibia in Africa and released into this new habitat," Yadav explained to reporters.

During the same event, the Chief Minister released six crocodiles—four females and two males—into the backwaters of the Indira Sagar Dam on the Narmada River, followed by offering prayers to the river widely considered the lifeline of Madhya Pradesh.

Officials reported that these six crocodiles were transported from Van Vihar in Bhopal and released into the dam's backwaters as an integral component of the state's wildlife conservation program.

"The conservation campaign for gharials (Indian gavials) is also actively underway in Madhya Pradesh. The state of Assam has requested gharials from us, and we will be providing them soon," Yadav further stated.

The Chief Minister mentioned that a formal announcement regarding the establishment of the Omkareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary will be made in the very near future.

According to officials, forest department representatives provided a comprehensive presentation to the CM about the proposed sanctuary in the western region of the state.

The planned Omkareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary will encompass a total area of 61,407 hectares spanning across the Khandwa and Dewas districts.