The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has put forward new ideas to enhance the conservation of cheetahs in India. They recommend forming Cheetah Rapid Response Teams at the district level and adopting a management strategy similar to the Tiger Conservation Plan. These steps aim to ensure a long-lasting revival of the cheetah population in the country.
This initiative is part of the NTCA’s annual report titled “Bringing Back the Cheetah to India.” The report also highlights the need for a Monitoring System for Tigers – Intensive Protection and Ecological Status (MSTrIPES), designed to facilitate smart patrolling and monitoring in areas where cheetahs roam.
Currently, India is home to 53 cheetahs, which includes 13 adults, 17 sub-adults, and 23 cubs. Notably, three cheetahs have recently been moved to Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary from Kuno National Park. In early 2026, nine cheetahs were relocated from Botswana.
According to the report, Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary faces various challenges, largely due to a high human population nearby. The area supports a significant number of livestock, with approximately 88 cattle or buffalo and 45 goats or sheep per square kilometre. Additionally, a main highway runs through the sanctuary, and fishing communities have settled along the reservoir, contributing to environmental pressures.
Local communities, including the Bhil, Gurjar, Banjara, and Thakur tribes, inhabit the Gandhi Sagar landscape. Their support is deemed essential for the cheetah conservation program to flourish.
Despite these challenges, the report describes Gandhi Sagar as a hopeful site for building a sustainable cheetah population. It mentions that the area offers ample habitat and diverse ecosystems. The ongoing efforts to restore grasslands, increase prey numbers, and foster goodwill with local residents could make this sanctuary a safe haven for cheetahs in the future.
Additionally, the report suggests a collaborative landscape management effort between the governments of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. There have been instances in the past where cheetahs have crossed into Rajasthan’s forests.
An official mentioned that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is in the works between the two states to enhance the protection of cheetahs, with hopes of finalizing it soon.
