The 'Chitta' Project, which began in Kuno National Park in the state of Madhya Pradesh, is nearing the end of its fourth year. During this period, the cheetah population in India has increased to 52 individuals, with 32 of them born in India. According to officials, many important milestones have been achieved within this initiative—from releasing cheetahs into a new environment to rescuing cubs and releasing them into the wild.
'Chitta' Project started on September 17, 2022, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi released eight cheetahs brought from Namibia into special enclosures at Kuno National Park. Subsequently, cheetahs were also brought to India from South Africa and Botswana.
According to official data, out of the total 52 cheetahs in the country, 49 are located in Kuno National Park, and three are in the Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary, located in Madhya Pradesh. Over the four years of the project, significant work has been done on breeding cheetahs, cub survival, and their adaptation to open wilderness.
In the first year of the project, the team faced several new challenges related to the behavior, health, and management of cheetahs in Indian conditions. This experience helped the team improve cheetah care and management.
In the second year, the main focus was on the life and development of cubs born in India. Officials reported that 13 cubs born in India survived for over a year, which was included among the project's major successes.
In the third year, in 2025, the process of releasing cheetahs into the open wilderness of Kuno began. The cheetahs were under round-the-clock observation across 12 districts covering an inter-state territory. Gradually, these animals began to adapt to the new territories.
According to official information, of the eight cheetahs brought from Namibia on September 17, 2022, three are still alive. With the addition of 22 cheetahs born in India, the total number of living cheetahs from Namibia and their offspring is 25 individuals.
On February 18, 2023, 12 cheetahs were brought to India from South Africa, eight of which remain alive. The addition of 10 cubs born in India increased the population of South African origin cheetahs and their offspring to 18 individuals. These animals are distributed between Kuno and Gandhi Sagar: 15 in Kuno and three in Gandhi Sagar.
In February 2026, another nine cheetahs were brought to India from Botswana, strengthening the international foundation for cheetah conservation in India.
Of the 49 cheetahs in Kuno, 17 live in the open wilderness. Among them are 10 males and seven females. The remaining 32 cheetahs are currently kept in special enclosures, including five males, eight females, and 19 cubs younger than one year old.
According to officials, major achievements of the fourth year of the project include the successful establishment of reproductive females and the survival of the second generation of cubs.