'Project Cheetah' our endeavour towards environment, wildlife conservation: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has turned 72 today, released eight cheetahs at their new home - Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh on September 17. These big cats were brought from Namibia this morning.

While addressing the nation following the release of cheetahs into Kuno National Park, he said that 'Project Cheetah' is government's endeavour towards environment and wildlife conservation. Under this project, the BJP Government at the Centre reintroduced cheetahs in the country with the support of Nambia.

"Project Cheetah, under which the cheetahs were reintroduced in the country after they became extinct seven decades ago, is our endeavour towards environment and wildlife conservation," he said.

"We lose certain things when we move away from our roots. Hence, we should take pride in our heritage,” PM added.

He further thanked Namibia Government for cooperation in relocating eight cheetahs to India and also congratulated the citizens of India for the successful release of the cheetahs in Kuno National Park.

The Prime Minister said that the cheetahs will add to bio-diversity and boost tourism and generate income for locals.

“The biodiversity that had become extinct and the link that got disconnected for decades, today we have a chance to reconnect it. Today the cheetah has returned to the soil of India. And I would also say that along with these cheetahs, the nature-loving consciousness of India has also been awakened with full force," said PM Modi.

He further said that the Kuno National Park was chosen for the release of cheetahs after a detailed study by experts.

"It is unfortunate that we declared Cheetahs extinct from the country in 1952, but for decades no meaningful effort was made to rehabilitate them. Today, as we celebrate Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, the country has started rehabilitating Cheetahs with new energy," said the PM.

PM Modi appealed to people for patience before visiting Kuno National Park to have a glimpse of cheetahs and referred to them as 'India's guests'.

Under the ambitious Project Cheetah of the Indian government, the reintroduction of wild species particularly cheetah was undertaken as per the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) guidelines.

India has a long history of wildlife conservation. One of the most successful wildlife conservation ventures 'Project Tiger', which was initiated way back in 1972, has not only contributed to the conservation of tigers but also of the entire ecosystem.

In continuation of this, the reintroduction of cheetahs is one step ahead and a milestone in the history of wildlife conservation in India.