Gujarat is preparing to receive five to six cheetahs from Madhya Pradesh's Kuno National Park in the first phase of a proposed relocation to the Banni grasslands in Kutch.
Officials said habitat assessments, veterinary infrastructure and soft-release enclosures are being readied as part of efforts to expand India's cheetah reintroduction programme beyond Kuno.
The Banni landscape is being assessed for its suitability to support cheetahs, particularly in terms of open terrain and prey availability.
Teams have reviewed veterinary care systems, availability of medicines and emergency response mechanisms, and the Gujarat forest department has been asked to put in place medical support and rescue facilities.
The project, estimated at around ₹20 crore, is being funded by the Centre and includes development of enclosures, fencing, veterinary and monitoring infrastructure as part of a cheetah conservation breeding centre planned at the site.
