Cheetah corridor to expand in MP: After Kuno and Gandhi Sagar, Nauradehi to become third cheetah haven
Bhopal: A new chapter is about to be added in the field of wildlife conservation and eco-tourism in Madhya Pradesh. After Kuno National Park in Sheopur and Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary in Mandsaur-Neemuch, cheetahs are now set to arrive in the state's largest tiger reserve, the Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve (Nauradehi).
The Cheetah Steering Committee has given permission to shift four cheetahs to Nauradehi, starting with a pair of a male cheetah ('Tholo') and a female cheetah ('CCB-3') being brought from Kuno on October 7th.
It is noteworthy that female cheetah CCB-3 is the sister of Radha, released at Gandhi Sagar. Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav will release both cheetahs into the new enclosure at Nauradehi on October 7th.
This day also marks the completion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 25 consecutive years of public service as Chief Minister and Prime Minister. With this new habitat, Madhya Pradesh will now have three major cheetah habitats (Kuno, Gandhi Sagar, and Nauradehi).
Vast grasslands and open forests are ideal for cheetahs
Spread over 2,340 square kilometers, Nauradehi is Madhya Pradesh's largest tiger reserve. It boasts vast grasslands and open forests, ideal for cheetahs to hunt and roam. The area lies within the catchment areas of the Ken, Betwa, and Narmada river systems. Initially, the cheetahs will be housed in a 439-hectare "soft release boma" (protected enclosure), equivalent in size to Bhopal's Van Vihar National Park.
Divided into five sections, this boma features special arrangements for power fencing and 24-hour tracking. Initially, the idea was to relocate the cheetahs to the Banni Grasslands in Gujarat, but due to the pending release date, the first pair is being sent to Nauradehi.