According to a statement from Indian Oil Corp., Prime Minister Narendra Modi will release cheetahs into two enclosures in Kuno National Park in the Sheopur area of Madhya Pradesh once they are imported from Africa. Prior to the PM’s event on September 17, the cheetahs will be transported from Namibia in southern Africa to Jaipur in Rajasthan by cargo flight, and then by helicopter to Kuno-Palpur, according to principal chief conservator of forests J S Chauhan.
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and Indian Oil-funded Cheetah Reintroduction Project will formally launch on September 17, according to the corporation. The first batch is coming from Namibia as the statement released by officials said. Indian Oil Corporation is supporting this initiative with almost 51 crores as part of CSR.
Chairman of Indian Oil, S M Vidya, speaking on the project said, “Indian Oil is proud to welcome the Cheetahs back to Indian soil. It is an affirmation of Indian Oil’s resolve to align with Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to preserve and enhance India’s wildlife and maintain a healthy ecological balance.”
In 1952, the cheetah was proclaimed extinct in India. The Indian government’s Species Recovery Programme restores extinct species to their prehistoric natural environment. The restoration of tigers in the Panna Tiger Reserve and the reintroduction of gaur (Indian Bison) in Bandhavgarh are two examples of such historic initiatives.