After Madhya Pradesh's Kuno National Park, cheetah introduction will be expanded to Banni Grasslands in Gujarat and Gandhisagar Sanctuary of MP, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced at the seventh National Board of Wildlife (NBWL) meeting here on Monday.
African cheetahs were reintroduced at Kuno National Park in two batches in September 2022 and February 2023.
"The Prime Minister announced that cheetah introduction will be expanded to other areas, including the Gandhisagar sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh and Banni Grasslands in Gujarat," a government release stated.
The release, however, did not specify details about the number of wild cats to be brought in at both forest areas and the timeline.
Banni Grasslands is a 2,500 sq km protected forest in the Kutch district of Gujarat that supports numerous animal genetic resources like Banni buffalo, Kankrej cattle, sheep, goats, camels, and horses.
The grassland is a breeding and nesting ground for more than 250 bird species, including