Cheetahs
By Brijesh Vijayvarghiya*
On Monday, March 24, 2025, at least four-five cheetahs ventured out of Kuno National Park, making their way along the Sheopur-Gwalior road and reaching a railway track just a kilometre away. Local villagers attempted to drive them away by throwing stones and sticks, but a team from the forest department somehow successfully managed to guide the animals back toward the safety of the forest.
This was not the first time cheetahs had strayed; they had previously wandered into the Baran district on three occasions, where they were tranquillized and returned to Kuno.
Have we brought these cheetahs from Africa only to subject them to stones and sticks?
The cheetahs relocated from Africa and Namibia to Kuno National Park are frequently venturing towards Shahabad via the Kuno River. When villagers strike them with sticks or throw stones, it heightens the risk of these animals becoming aggressive.
If such behaviour persists, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cherished Cheetah initiative could face imminent failure.
If these cheetahs were to harm humans, they would be labelled as man-eaters, and the very forest officials currently safeguarding them might resort to lethal measures.
Given the cheetahs’ repeated appearances outside Kuno National Park, it is crucial to safeguard the forests of Shahbad, as there exists a natural corridor linking the forests of Shahabad with Madhav National Park in Madhya Pradesh.
The regular sightings of cheetahs along the routes between Sheopur and Gwalior signal a troubling failure in our wildlife management efforts.
The urgent question that demands attention is: why are cheetahs departing from Kuno National Park? Is the park’s area insufficient to sustain these majestic animals?
If this is indeed the case, one must wonder why the planners did not create a natural corridor or habitat for the cheetahs by connecting the Shahabad forest with the Kuno River.
Instead, the government has chosen to clear the Shahabad forest to make way for a hydropower plant. Those in authority need to understand that while hydropower projects can be developed in numerous locations, forests are irreplaceable ecosystems.
The elements of water, forests, and land are invaluable gifts from nature. Therefore, it is imperative for the government to prioritize the conservation of the Shahabad forest, ensuring its protection at all costs.
*Senior journalist and convener, Bagh-Cheetah Mitra, Chambal sansad.
