Madhya Pradesh releases two cheetahs into Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has released two cheetahs, a male and a female, into the Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve in the Sagar district. This move establishes the reserve as the third cheetah habitat in the state, following Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary.

The cheetahs, named Vyom and Neera (also referred to in some reports as Tholo and CCB-3), were brought from Kuno National Park. To facilitate their transition, a specialized 439-hectare secure area has been prepared for their initial quarantine and monitoring. This expansion of the cheetah reintroduction project aims to strengthen the regional ecosystem and bolster wildlife conservation efforts in Asia.

Beyond conservation, the initiative is expected to drive economic growth in the Bundelkhand region through increased wildlife tourism. The government is promoting local involvement by offering subsidies for home-stays in buffer zones and ensuring that a portion of revenue from sanctuaries is distributed to nearby villagers to support local livelihoods.