BHOPAL: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch world’s first intercontinental cheetah translocation at Kuno National Park in Sheopur district of Madhya Pradesh on September 17, when he turns 72.
The Prime Ministers’ office (PMO) has confirmed the programme to the chief minister’s office.
All hotels and restaurants around Kuno have been booked by the district administration from September 14 to September 20. Cheetahs would reach Kuno from Namibia a day before his arrival.
Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan wanted to invite PM Modi to inaugurate the project on his birthday and a communication was sent from the chief minister’s office to the PMO, seeking convenient dates for Modi’s visit.
Earlier, there were concerns that the project might get delayed since officers were unable to catch four leopards that were fenced inside the cheetah enclosure when it was built. However, three of them were caught later and the remaining one is not a problem, officials said.
Officers say everything else is in place for the reintroduction of cheetahs.
The 500-hectare fenced-off area is still a hive of activity.
Ten helipads are being built where cheetahs and VIPs can land simultaneously.
Cheetahs from Namibia would be travelling halfway around the world to their new home in Kuno.
The transport logistics are being carefully planned to ensure that the fastest route is taken, with the fewest number of stops and transfers.
The aerial distance is close to 9,000km but it’s the proverbial last mile that is causing creased eyebrows.
The MP forest department has invited its staff to volunteer for a cheetah project posting.
A message in the department’s WhatsApp group says there is an urgent need for field officers and employees in Kuno Wildlife Forest Division and those interested can apply to the range officer, deputy ranger, forester or give their consent to the chief wildlife Warden.
Around 20 ex-army men are being engaged to guard the area.
