Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that the work of bringing cheetahs from Namibia to rehabilitate them in Madhya Pradesh's Kuno National Park is being done as per the prescribed parameters. This is a work of national importance.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself will inaugurate this work on September 17 at Kuno National Park in Sheopur district. All necessary preparations should be made to complete this programme with full dignity and enthusiasm. Chouhan was receiving information at his residence today about the preparations being made in connection with the Prime Minister's visit to Sheopur district on September 17.
It was informed that rehabilitation work will be done in Kuno National Park of Sheopur district as per the prevailing internationally practised techniques of cheetah management.
The Chief Minister received information about all the aspects related to the preparations for the visit of Prime Minister Modi. He said that during the Prime Minister's visit, mainly the programme for the arrival of cheetahs in the Kuno National Park and the convention of the sisters of self-help groups in Karahal is scheduled. A development exhibition will also be organised on this occasion. Presentation of the works being done in ODOP in the districts of Madhya Pradesh will also be included. Mainly information about the mustard oil in Morena district, groundnut oil in Shivpuri district, angavastra made in Chanderi, jackets made in Shivpuri, Gondi paintings of Dindori and activities related to millet products and works related to their production and manufacturing etc. will be given to the Prime Minister.
Chief Minister Chouhan directed that Prime Minister Modi is attending two major programmes in Sheopur on September 17, the birthday of Prime Minister Modi. In the remaining districts, various departments should make this occasion a means of expressing happiness by organising public welfare activities. Instructions have also been given to run a campaign in the state from September 17 to October 31 to benefit the beneficiaries from the schemes.
Chouhan said that programmes should be implemented after determining the nature so that the general public should get the benefit of the service works of the departments. The officers and field staff of the departments should be given responsibilities for the campaign starting from the birthday of the Prime Minister.
It was informed that cheetah was declared extinct in India in the year 1952. In the year 2009, international cheetah experts held a discussion with the central and state government for cheetah restoration.
In 2010, the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) conducted a survey of potential areas for cheetah restoration in India, in which the Kuno Sanctuary, which is currently the Kuno National Park, was found to be the most suitable among 10 sites. Work will be done according to the prescribed protocol and guidelines for the replacement of cheetahs that are on the brink of extinction in India. The integrated management of the project envisages the habitat of about two dozen cheetahs in 750 square kilometers of the National Park of Kuno. Apart from this, about 3 thousand square kilometer forest area is suitable for free movement of cheetahs in two districts Sheopur and Shivpuri. Prime Minister Modi will release leopards in two enclosures.
Two male cheetahs will be released in the first enclosure. A female cheetah will be released into the second enclosure. A team of Forest Department officials has received training in Namibian Cheetah Management Techniques.