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Two cheetahs from Kuno National Park will be shifted to Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary on April 20.
This will be the cheetahs’ second home since their reintroduction to India in 2022.
The state plans to promote Kuno as a model for wildlife tourism and expand cheetah conservation to Gandhi Sagar.
An earlier plan to bring 6–8 cheetahs from South Africa has been delayed, with their arrival now expected around September.
Kuno National Park
It is located in the Morena and Sheopur districts in Madhya Pradesh.
It is nestled near the Vindhyan Hills.
It derives its name from the meandering Kuno River (one of the main tributaries of the Chambal River) that graces the region.
Initially established as a wildlife sanctuary, it was only in 2018 that the government changed its status into a national park.
It was selected under ‘Action Plan for Introduction of Cheetah in India’.
Kuno is primarily a grassland region, though a few rocky outcrops are found here too.
Kardhai, Salai, and Khair trees dominate the forested area of Kuno National Park, which is mostly mixed forest.
The protected area of the forest is home to the jungle cat, Indian leopard, sloth bear, Indian wolf, striped hyena, golden jackal, Bengal fox, and dhole, along with more than 120 bird species.
Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary
It is situated in northwestern Madhya Pradesh, along the Madhya Pradesh-Rajasthan border and lies within the Khathiar-Gir dry deciduous forests ecoregion.
The Chambal River flows through the sanctuary, dividing it into two parts.
It is a designated Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA).
The sanctuary includes hills, plateaus, and the catchment area of the Gandhi Sagar Dam.
Vegetation types:
Northern tropical dry deciduous forest.
Northern tropical dry mixed deciduous forest.
Dry deciduous scrub.
Principal tree species: Khair, Salai, Kardhai, Dhawda, Tendu, and Palash.
Historical and Cultural Importance:
The sanctuary houses sites of historical and archaeological significance, such as Chaurasigarh, Chaturbhujnath Temple, Bhadkaji rock paintings and Hinglajgarh Fort.
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