Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday greeted wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists on International Cheetah Day, highlighting India’s progress in restoring the species through Project Cheetah.
In a post on X, the Prime Minister said, “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 animal and restoring the ecosystem in which it can truly flourish. It was also an effort to revive lost ecological heritage and strengthen our biodiversity.”
PM Modi said that India is proud to be home to several cheetahs, and a significant number of them are born on Indian soil. “Many of them now thrive in the Kuno National Park and the Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary. It is heartening to see cheetah tourism growing in popularity as well. I encourage more wildlife enthusiasts from across the world to visit India and witness the cheetah in all its splendour,” he added.
PM Modi also praised the progress in cheetah conservation, saying it has been made possible through the collective support of the people, especially the dedicated Cheetah Mitras. He added that protecting wildlife and living in harmony with nature are integral to India’s civilisational ethos, and that this spirit is clearly reflected in the ongoing conservation efforts.
As of December 2025, India is home to 32 cheetahs, including 21 born in the country. A recent milestone came in November when Mukhi, an India-born female cheetah, delivered five healthy cubs.
India reintroduced cheetahs in 2022 and 2023, with eight brought from Namibia and twelve from South Africa. Officials say initial doubts about the project have been disproven by the successful breeding and steady growth of the cheetah population.
(With ANI inputs)