Despite initial setbacks, India's Cheetah project is showing promising signs, with Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav declaring the project a success. Yadav highlighted that the reintroduction of cheetahs is a pioneering effort, symbolizing hope for restoring lost wildlife populations and ecosystems.
Initially, the project faced challenges, including the deaths of some cheetahs and cubs in Kuno-Palpur National Park due to "unfortunate weather and climatic conditions". However, Yadav stated that there are currently 25 cheetahs in the country, including newly born cubs. As of today, Kuno National Park houses 25 cheetahs, with 12 being surviving cubs. While seven adult cheetahs and five cubs died between March 2023 and January 2024, the Minister remains optimistic.
The reintroduction of cheetahs in India began on September 17, 2022, with eight cheetahs (five females and three males) from Namibia. In February 2023, a second batch of 12 cheetahs was brought from South Africa. The government is also considering sourcing cheetahs from Kenya and is awaiting approval from the African country. A cheetah conservation breeding center is being developed in Bunni, Gujarat, with the capacity to accommodate 16 cheetahs.
Yadav dismissed reports that a Namibian cheetah named Pawan died from poisoning in August 2025. He clarified that there were no signs of poisoning and that the symptoms suggest the cheetah died from drowning after heavy rains.
Looking ahead, India is planning to bring another batch of cheetahs to Gandhi Sagar National Park in Madhya Pradesh. The government is developing the Gandhi Sagar wildlife sanctuary as a second home for the African cheetahs.
In addition to the Cheetah project, India has set ambitious climate change goals. India has committed to reducing the emissions intensity of its GDP by 45% by 2030. India aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070.
India is focused on increasing renewable energy capacity, with a goal of achieving 50% cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030. In 2008, India's National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) included goals such as covering one-third of the country with forests and trees and increasing renewable energy supply to 6% of the total energy mix by 2022.
India is also working to create a carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 GtCO2e through additional forest and tree cover by 2030. As of 2021, forest and tree cover accounts for 24.6% of the country's geographical area. The updated National Green Hydrogen Mission aims for five million tonnes per annum of green hydrogen production by 2030. India is also planning to establish a domestic carbon market.
