President Murmu Interacts With Cheetah Mitras At Kuno, Reviews Conservation Work

President Droupadi Murmu on Monday interacted with ‘Cheetah Mitras’ at Kuno National Park and reviewed ongoing cheetah conservation and reintroduction efforts , officials said.

During the interaction, the President was briefed on the role of community-based volunteers in protecting cheetahs, managing human-wildlife interaction, and spreading awareness in villages around the national park. She commended the voluntary efforts of the Cheetah Mitras in supporting the conservation programme.

The Cheetah Mitras, specially trained local volunteers—many from the indigenous Sahariya tribe act as frontline community partners for forest officials. They help monitor movement of cheetahs, respond to sightings, and conduct awareness programmes on animal behaviour and safety.

Officials said the volunteers informed the President that they are active across villages surrounding Kuno National Park and regularly engage residents on cheetah behaviour and conservation practices . They also emphasised that villagers are being sensitised that cheetahs are generally not dangerous to humans and that any sighting near habitations or agricultural fields should be immediately reported to the Forest Department to ensure safety for both people and animals.

Cheetah Mitras from villages including Silori, Hathedi, Sesaipura, Palpur, Para, Karahal, and Moravan participated in the interaction, an official said.Senior officials, including Principal Secretary of the Forest Department Sandeep Yadav and Head of Forest Force Shubharanjan Sen , were present on the occasion.

On Sunday, the President visited Kuno National Park, where she toured the Cheetah Command and Control Centre and was briefed on advanced monitoring and tracking systems used for the big cats. She also viewed an exhibition highlighting progress under the Project Cheetah initiative .

After the interaction on Monday, President Murmu departed for Gwalior by helicopter and later left for Delhi on an Indian Air Force aircraft , officials said.

Launched on September 17, 2022 , Project Cheetah aims to reintroduce cheetahs in India after their extinction decades ago, marking a significant step in biodiversity restoration .Officials said Kuno National Park has been developed as India’s first cheetah reintroduction site due to its suitable habitat, prey base, and low human disturbance .

The first batch of cheetahs was brought from Namibia in September 2022, followed by a second batch from South Africa in February 2023, and a third batch from Botswana in February 2026. During her state visit to Botswana in November 2025, President Murmu witnessed the symbolic donation of eight cheetahs later relocated to Kuno.

So far, 32 cheetahs have been born in India under the programme, officials added.