As the Modi Government’s ambitious Cheetah reintroduction project at Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park marks its second anniversary on Tuesday, its progress has led to mixed reactions: Government officials praising the initiative for its breeding success, while activists criticising the prolonged confinement of the big cats in enclosures and raising doubts about their survival instinct in the wild.

Of the original 20 imported cheetahs from Namibia and South Africa, only 12 adults remain, and of 17 births, 12 cubs have survived at the Kuno Park translocated in phases since September 17, two years ago.

All of them remain confined in the enclosure, meaning they are not hunting on their own, which experts say is a key indicator of the success of any wildlife translocation effort.

Undeterred at the flak, the Government’s plan is underway to introduce a new batch of cheetahs to the expansive Gandhisagar Wildlife Sanctuary in the Northern State. At the same time, a conservation breeding Centre is also on the platter in Gujarat’s Bunni grasslands. Moreover, all of them are still confined to enclosures rather than roaming freely in the wild, they said.

While wildlife activists pointed out that all of the big cats are yet to inhabit the wild and might be facing significant stress due to their confinement, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav acknowledged the challenges faced over the past two years, highlighting that numerous obstacles-from habitat adjustments to ensuring the cubs’ survival in the wild-have been overcome.

He took to the social media platform X, praising the project which he said was envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as a pioneering global effort aimed at restoring lost wildlife populations and ecosystems.

“It hasn’t been an easy road. Numerous challenges, from habitat adjustments to ensuring the cubs’ survival in the wild, were overcome,” Yadav posted.

“Today, as the world watches these cheetah cubs thrive in their natural habitat, we celebrate not just their survival but the resilience and dedication of all involved in these enormous efforts,” he added, stressing that this marks just the beginning of restoring ecological balance, with many milestones yet to come.

On September 17, the Prime Minister on his birthday, released the Cheetahs brought from Namibia into their enclosures.

However, wildlife activists are not excited at the project’s progress. They cautioned that it may be premature to celebrate, given that of the original 20 imported cheetahs, only 12 adults remain, and of 17 births, 12 cubs have survived. Moreover, all of them are still confined to enclosures rather than roaming freely in the wild.

Ravi Chellam, CEO of the Metastring Foundation and Coordinator of the Biodiversity Collaborative, echoed concerns that releasing these cheetahs, particularly the captive-born cubs, might not be advisable due to their prolonged captivity.

Incidentally, a day ago, a report by the Accountant General of Madhya Pradesh flagged concerns over the management of the project at the park, stating a “lack of coordination” between central and State Government departments as well as issues regarding expenditure.

The concerns were raised in a sample audit of records - from August 2019 to November 2023 - that was made public Monday in response to an RTI filed by wildlife activist Ajay Dubey. As per reports, there is shortage of field staff in Kuno National Park, which may affect forest and wild animal conservation. This has been revealed in the inspection report of Kuno. There is shortage of forest ranger, deputy forest ranger, forester etc, said Dubey.

Lions were supposed to be brought according to Supreme Court judgment, Project Cheetah was brought in a rush, he told a media house.

The wildlife activist minced no words as he said, Cheetah Project had actually turned into a captive breeding Centre and accountability should be fixed on officials for deaths of the royal predators.

On the tourism front, the project is yet to catch fancy among the tourists. Visitor footfall has been very slow from 1,459 in 2022-23 to 3,172 in 2023-24. “The reason for poor tourist footfall is that cheetahs remained inside enclosures and far away from public view,” according to reports.