Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday marked International Cheetah Day by celebrating India’s progress in cheetah conservation and urging wildlife enthusiasts from around the world to visit India to witness the wild cat in its natural habitat. Calling Project Cheetah an effort to “revive lost ecological heritage,” the prime minister said the initiative has begun to show promising results.
On International Cheetah Day, my best wishes to all wildlife lovers and conservationists dedicated to protecting the cheetah, one of our planet’s most remarkable creatures. Three years ago, our Government launched Project Cheetah with the aim of safeguarding this magnificent… pic.twitter.com/FJgfJqoGeA
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 4, 2025
In a post on X, PM Modi conveyed his best wishes to wildlife lovers and conservationists, describing the cheetah as “one of the planet’s most remarkable creatures.” He said the government launched Project Cheetah three years ago with a clear objective: to safeguard the species and restore the ecosystem in which it can thrive.
“It was also an effort to revive lost ecological heritage and strengthen our biodiversity,” PM Modi wrote.
The prime minister said India now proudly hosts several cheetahs, including a significant number born on Indian soil. Many of these animals are thriving in Kuno National Park and the Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary, which have become central hubs for cheetah conservation.
PM Modi also noted the rising popularity of cheetah tourism, calling it a positive sign for conservation awareness.
“I encourage more wildlife enthusiasts from across the world to visit India and witness the cheetah in all its splendour,” he said.
A crucial role, he added, has been played by Cheetah Mitras—local conservation volunteers who help protect and monitor the animals.
“Protecting wildlife and living in harmony with nature are integral to India’s civilisational ethos,” the prime minister said.
India’s Cheetah Project Shows Strong Growth
India’s ambitious programme to reintroduce cheetahs to their natural habitats has entered a promising new phase, according to officials. The project began with the introduction of 20 cheetahs into Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh — eight brought from Namibia in September 2022 and 12 from South Africa in February 2023.
Despite early skepticism, conservation officials say the results have exceeded expectations.
As of December 2025, India has a thriving population of 32 cheetahs, including 21 India-born cubs. A recent highlight came in November 2025, when an India-born female, Mukhi, gave birth to five healthy cubs, marking one of the most successful breeding milestones since the project began.
Officials say these gains reflect not only improved habitat management but also strong international collaboration and dedicated ground-level conservation work.