Reviving the Cheetahs: Gujarat's Banni Grasslands Transformation
The Gujarat government is investing in the Banni grasslands of Kutch as a cheetah habitat, spending Rs 14.70 crore on ecosystem improvements. Once extinct in India, cheetahs are being reintroduced from Africa. The initiative aims to transform Banni into a thriving wildlife tourism destination, leveraging its unique landscape and ecological restoration efforts.
- Country:
- India
The Gujarat government is making significant strides in the development of the Banni grasslands in Kutch district to serve as a habitat for reintroduced cheetahs. An investment of Rs 14.70 crore has been allocated for this ecological endeavor, as disclosed by State Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia during an assembly session.
The cheetahs, which once roamed India, disappeared several decades ago. As part of a reintroduction project, these majestic creatures were relocated from Africa to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh in September 2022. Efforts are now intensifying to create an inviting ecosystem for them in Gujarat, prompted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Gir National Park in March 2025.
The restoration project involves eradicating the invasive Prosopis juliflora species and restoring grasslands, with a focus on engaging the local Maldhari pastoral communities. The Banni grasslands, encompassing around 2,000 square kilometers, offer a diverse landscape suitable for such ecological interventions, promising to elevate Kutch as a prime wildlife tourism hub.
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