India, Botswana Announce Cheetah Translocation Pact; President Murmu Says ‘Will Take Good Care of Them’

Introduction

New Delhi
India and Botswana have formally announced a new cheetah translocation agreement, strengthening cooperation on wildlife conservation between the two countries. The pact aims to support India’s ongoing efforts to reintroduce and stabilise the cheetah population in selected national parks.

President Droupadi Murmu, while addressing the delegation from Botswana, said India will “take good care of them,” assuring full commitment towards the animals’ wellbeing and long-term survival.

India Strengthens Its Cheetah Reintroduction Programme

India began reintroducing cheetahs in 2022 under the Project Cheetah initiative, with the first batch arriving from Namibia. In the next phase, Botswana has agreed to support India with genetically strong cheetahs suitable for adaptation in Indian landscapes.

The new agreement focuses on:

• Translocation of a fresh group of cheetahs
• Long-term conservation partnership
• Joint scientific and veterinary cooperation
• Habitat development support
• Monitoring and research collaboration

Botswana is home to one of the world’s largest wild cheetah populations, making it an important contributor to India’s multi-year restoration plan.

President Murmu Expresses Gratitude and Assurance

President Murmu praised Botswana for its continued support, saying India deeply values the trust shown in sending its wildlife to Indian reserves.

She highlighted:

• India’s improved conservation track record
• Expansion of grassland habitats
• Strong monitoring systems using radio collars and camera traps
• Availability of trained forest staff

“We have learned lessons from the earlier challenges. Every cheetah that comes to India will receive the best care possible,” she said.

The Need for New Genetic Lines

Experts argue that introducing fresh genetic lines is crucial for:

• Increasing breeding success
• Reducing genetic weakness
• Enhancing cheetah adaptation
• Improving long-term survival rate

Some of the cheetahs introduced earlier faced health issues and climate stress, making the new batch essential for stabilising the population.

Focus on Kuno and Other Potential Habitats

While Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh remains the core habitat, the government is also preparing alternative locations, including:

• Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary
• Nauradehi Sanctuary
• Mukundra Hills (Rajasthan)

These reserves are being strengthened with prey base development, water sources, and controlled zones where cheetahs can live and breed safely.

Botswana Appreciates India’s Efforts

Botswana’s officials acknowledged India’s commitment and expressed hope that this partnership will bring positive results for global cheetah conservation.
Both countries also discussed broader environmental cooperation and wildlife trade prevention.

Botswana said it is confident that India will “provide the right ecological and medical support” to the translocated cheetahs.

Public Interest in Cheetah Project Remains High

The reintroduction of cheetahs has drawn strong public attention across India. People have closely followed updates on births, movement patterns, and the health of the animals.

Social media platforms were again filled with discussions after the new pact was announced, with many expressing hope that India’s grasslands may soon support a sustainable cheetah population.

Conclusion

The latest translocation pact between India and Botswana marks an important step in India’s long-term cheetah restoration plan.
With fresh genetic lines, enhanced habitat preparation, and renewed international cooperation, India hopes to secure a stable and thriving cheetah population in the coming years.

President Murmu’s assurance that India will “take good care of them” reflects the commitment to making the project a global conservation success story.