Manthana

Daily Current Affairs Series

Nauradehi Sanctuary to Become the Third Home for Cheetahs in Madhya Pradesh

Analysis Date: November 01, 2025

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav announced that Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary will soon become the third home for cheetahs in the state after Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary.
Cheetahs will be brought from Namibia, Africa, and released into the Nauradehi Sanctuary as part of India’s ongoing efforts to expand the cheetah reintroduction project.

India reintroduced African cheetahs in 2022 at Kuno National Park (Sheopur district, MP) under Project Cheetah, marking the world’s first intercontinental large carnivore translocation.
Subsequently, Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary was identified as a second home for cheetahs to diversify habitats and reduce population pressure.
Now, Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary is being prepared as the third site, further strengthening cheetah conservation and ecosystem restoration in central India.

First Home (2022)

Second Home

Third Home (Upcoming)

Project's Goal

Location: Madhya Pradesh
Declared as Sanctuary: 1975
Area: Largest wildlife sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh
Topography: Situated on a plateau, forming part of the upper Vindhyan range
Connectivity: Acts as a corridor linking Panna and Satpura Tiger Reserves, and indirectly connects to Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve via Rani Durgawati Wildlife Sanctuary
Biogeographic Classification: Falls under the Deccan Peninsula region and forms part of both the Ganga and Narmada basins

Largest

Wildlife Sanctuary in MP

1975

Declared as Sanctuary

2 Basins

Ganga & Narmada

Vegetation:
- Classified as Tropical Dry Deciduous Forest
- Comprises Central Indian monsoon forests
Drainage System:
- Three-fourths of the sanctuary lies in the Yamuna (Ganges) basin
- One-fourth lies in the Narmada basin
- Major rivers: Kopra, Bamner, and Bearma, tributaries of the Ken River
Flora:
- Common species include Teak, Saja, Dhaora, Bhirra, Ber, Bel, Mahua, Tendu, Gunja, and Amla
Fauna:
- Hosts species such as Tiger, Panther, Sloth Bear, Wild Dog, Blue Bull, Chinkara, Spotted Deer, and Sambar

Strengthens India’s Project Cheetah by expanding habitat range and ensuring ecological balance.
Enhances connectivity between tiger reserves, supporting wildlife movement and genetic diversity.
Promotes eco-tourism and local community involvement in conservation.
Contributes to India’s goal of restoring grassland ecosystems and reviving top predator populations.

Sanctuary Name	Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary
Location	Madhya Pradesh
Declared as	Wildlife Sanctuary in 1975
Topography	Plateau of the Upper Vindhyan Range
Forest Type	Tropical Dry Deciduous (Central Indian Monsoon Forests)
Major Rivers	Kopra, Bamner, Bearma (tributaries of Ken River)
Biogeographic Region	Deccan Peninsula
Basins Covered	Ganga and Narmada
Flora	Teak, Dhaora, Mahua, Tendu, Amla, etc.
Fauna	Tiger, Panther, Sloth Bear, Chinkara, Sambar, Wild Dog
Upcoming Conservation Role	Third Cheetah Habitat after Kuno & Gandhi Sagar