Bhopal, Sep 17 (NationPress) In a historic step for wildlife conservation in India, the female cheetah known as 'Dheera' is set to be released into the wilderness of the Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary in Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh, coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 75th birthday.

This occasion represents a pivotal achievement in Project Cheetah, an ambitious initiative that was inaugurated by the Prime Minister on his 72nd birthday in 2022, when eight cheetahs were brought from Namibia and subsequently released into Kuno National Park located in Sheopur district.

The primary goal of this project is to reintroduce cheetahs to India following their extinction over seven decades ago. “The female cheetah Dheera will be set free in the wilderness of the Gandhi Sagar sanctuary to honor Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday. Forest officials will oversee her release,” a government official disclosed to IANS.

Initially, there were concerns about whether India’s ecosystem could sustain cheetahs, but Project Cheetah has effectively dispelled those doubts.

Throughout the last three years, cheetahs have successfully adapted to their new environments, roaming freely in both Kuno and Gandhi Sagar sanctuaries.

The most promising sign of success has been the birth of cheetah cubs on Indian soil, indicating not just survival but a flourishing population. Presently, there are 25 cheetahs in Kuno National Park, and two males have been effectively rehabilitated in Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary, raising the total to 27.

Dheera’s release is anticipated to enhance the breeding potential in the region.

This initiative has attracted national and international acclaim, recently being awarded the Innovative Initiatives Award at the 3rd Eco Warrior Awards in New Delhi. The recognition, presented by the IFS Association and Indian Masterminds, highlights the project's innovative approach to species restoration.

Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav commended the entire management team for their commitment and success, calling it a moment of pride for Madhya Pradesh and India’s conservation efforts.

According to PCCF Wildlife Subhranjan Sen, the timing of Dheera’s release coincides with the project’s third anniversary, reflecting the increasing confidence in the sanctuary’s capacity to support a sustainable cheetah population.

Project Cheetah has emerged as a testament to India’s leadership in global nature conservation, demonstrating that extinction is not irreversible. Through vision, planning, and determination, lost species can be revitalized.