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From Tiger State To Wildlife State: Madhya Pradesh’s Expanding Conservation Map Timeline
Madhya Pradesh is broadening its conservation focus beyond tigers to multiple species, including cheetahs. The state is advancing multi-species, corridor-led conservation with infrastructure, habitat expansion, and new protections, highlighted by cheetah reintroduction at Kuno and related policy moves.
Why It Matters
The timeline shows a shift toward a multi-species, corridor-based approach to wildlife governance in India, linking habitat protection, human-wildlife coexistence, and science-backed decision-making.
Timeline
14 Events
CM inaugurates 13-km stone safety wall around reserve boundary
May 11, 2026
During the visit, the Chief Minister inaugurated a 13-kilometre stone safety wall around the reserve boundary to reduce human-animal conflict.
Mohan Yadav visits Kuno National Park to oversee cheetah release
May 10, 2026
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav visited Kuno National Park on May 10, 2026 to oversee the release of two female cheetahs brought from Botswana from a soft-release boma into the wild.
Tapti in Betul district proposed as MP's first conservation reserve
May 2026
Tapti in Betul district has been proposed as Madhya Pradesh's first conservation reserve.
Corridor-led conservation and tiger landscape planning
May 2026
Corridor planning is underway across major tiger landscapes including Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Panna and Pench, with wildlife-friendly infrastructure such as underpasses and overpasses along stretches like Itarsi-Betul NH-46.
Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary approved as third cheetah habitat site
May 2026
Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary was approved as a third habitat site for future cheetah expansion.
Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary being developed as cheetah habitat
May 2026
Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary was being developed as an additional cheetah habitat.
Compensation for wild animal deaths increased to Rs 25 lakh
May 2026
Compensation for deaths caused by wild animal attacks was increased from Rs 8 lakh to Rs 25 lakh.
Rs 47.11 crore plan for wild elephant management approved
May 2026
The Madhya Pradesh cabinet approved a Rs 47.11 crore plan for wild elephant management, including surveillance systems, barriers, rapid-response mechanisms and community outreach measures.
Kuno cheetah population reaches 57 with cubs born in April 2026
April 2026
Cheetah population at Kuno rose to 57 after four cubs were born in April 2026, including the first recorded wild litter born to an Indian-born female cheetah.
Cinereous vulture released at Halali Dam
February 2026
The cinereous vulture rescued in Vidisha district was released at Halali Dam in February 2026 and later tracked as it headed toward Central Asia.
Cinereous vulture rescued in Vidisha district
December 2025
A cinereous vulture rescued in Vidisha district in December 2025 was treated at Kerwa and later released at Halali Dam in February 2026, before flying thousands of kilometres toward Central Asia, according to officials tracking the bird.
Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Wildlife Sanctuary notified as MP's 25th wildlife sanctuary
April 2025
Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Wildlife Sanctuary was notified across 258.64 sq km in April 2025, becoming Madhya Pradesh's 25th wildlife sanctuary.
Madhav National Park declared MP's ninth tiger reserve
March 2025
Madhav National Park was declared the state's ninth tiger reserve in March 2025.
Ratapani Tiger Reserve designated MP's eighth tiger reserve
December 2024
Ratapani Tiger Reserve was notified as Madhya Pradesh's eighth tiger reserve in December 2024, with a total area of 1,271.4 sq km, including 763.8 sq km core and 507.6 sq km buffer.