Madhya Pradesh: How Cheetah Project In Kuno Is Inspiring Villagers To Surrender Axe, Bow And save Wildlife

Sheopur: The Cheetah reintroduction project is Kuno Palpur Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh's Sheopur district is helping to create awareness towards the need to save wildlife and environment. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan released 12 more Cheetahs in Kuno.

Villagers took a pledge to save forests by giving up bow and axe

Chief Minister Chouhan held discussions with a delegation of villagers who took a pledge to save forests and wildlife by giving up bow and axe in the rest house premises of the park. Praising the decision taken by the villagers, he congratulated them for the resolution taken towards saving the environment. 

When Chief Minister Chouhan came to Kuno, the delegation of villagers who took the oath met and expressed their gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and CM Chouhan for choosing Kuno National Park for the Cheetah Project. 

An exhibition of photographs, paper clippings and collected axes, bows and arrows etc. related to the oath taken during the Vikas Yatra and the resolutions taken on various social issues was also organised. The guests, including the Chief Minister, visited the exhibition.

It is noteworthy that after the relocation of cheetahs brought from Namibia by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in the Kuno National Park on 17 September 2022, there has been an increase in the awareness of people towards wildlife, forest and environmental protection in the entire region. The enthusiasm of the people increased with the news of Chief Minister Shri Chouhan releasing 12 cheetahs brought from South Africa today in the park.

People prayed when female cheetah Sasha became unwell

In conversation with Cheetah Mitras, the Chief Minister inquired about the awareness campaign being run by Cheetah Mitras for the protection of cheetahs. He said that when Sasha the cheetah was unwell, the people of Karahal prayed and performed bhajan-kirtans for her recovery, which shows how much people love these cheetahs. 

Cheetah Mitra Chetan Bhardwaj recited a poem and Sheopur song centred on cheetahs. Bhardwaj also presented a Cheetah painting made on a round stone of Kuno river. Cheetah Mitra Rani Adivasi also apprised the Chief Minister about the programme being run in nearby villages to build the atmosphere for the protection of cheetahs.