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Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve Cheetah Habitat Established

Source:theprint ↗

Why It Matters

Highly relevant for MPPSC State Service Prelims questions concerning Madhya Pradesh's geography, wildlife reserves, national parks, and environmental updates.

Summary

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav released two cheetahs into the Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve, giving the state its third habitat for cheetahs under Project Cheetah. This expansion aims to establish a broader, secure range for the reintroduced cheetah population in India.

Key Points

  • Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav released two cheetahs into the Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve.
  • This marks the third habitat for cheetahs in Madhya Pradesh, following Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary (planned/developing habitat).
  • Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve becomes a new home for cheetah reintroduction in India, expanding the geographical range of the ambitious Project Cheetah.

Important Terms

Project Cheetah

India's ambitious intercontinental wildlife translocation project launched in 2022 to reintroduce the extinct cheetah into the wild, with Madhya Pradesh serving as its primary home across multiple reserves.

UPSC context

Relevant for MPPSC Paper III (Environment, Biodiversity, and Wildlife Conservation). Tests knowledge of national conservation programs and species reintroduction.

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Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve

A protected tiger reserve spread across Sagar, Damoh, and Narsinghpur districts of Madhya Pradesh, which recently became the state's third designated cheetah habitat under Project Cheetah.

UPSC context

Important for MPPSC Paper I & III (Geography of Madhya Pradesh and Wildlife Sanctuaries). Tests awareness of protected areas and local geography.

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Kuno National Park

A premier national park located in the Sheopur and Morena districts of Madhya Pradesh, chosen as the primary initial release site for African cheetahs under Project Cheetah in India.

UPSC context

Crucial for MPPSC Paper I (National Parks and Protected Areas in Madhya Pradesh). Frequently asked in objective and descriptive questions on state ecology.

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Prelims Trap

Kuno National Park remains the sole exclusive habitat for cheetah reintroduction in Madhya Pradesh under Project Cheetah.

Aspirants often assume Kuno National Park is the only cheetah habitat in India or Madhya Pradesh, ignoring recent expansions like Gandhi Sagar and Veerangana Durgavati.

Static Concepts Connected

Madhya Pradesh Geography & Environment

What are the key geographical features and notified status of Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve?

  • Location & Status: It spans across Damoh, Narsinghpur, and Sagar districts of Madhya Pradesh, notified as MP's 7th tiger reserve in 2023.
  • Historical & Rivers: It is named after the valiant Rani Durgavati of the Gondwana kingdom and is drained by the Narmada and Ken river basin tributaries.

Cross-Topic Patterns

  • Project Cheetah & MP Protected Areas

    Project Cheetah's multi-site expansion links wildlife conservation efforts with interstate corridors and eco-tourism development under the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Policy.

Project Cheetah habitats (Kuno, Gandhi Sagar, Veerangana Durgavati) + Tiger Reserves of MP are a prime match-the-following Prelims target.

Linked PYQs · 2

Linked PYQs · 2

  • 2025MPPSC_PRELIMSGS1

    How many total major and medium Integrated Tribal Development Projects are in existence in Madhya Pradesh in 2023-24?

  • 2023MPPSC_PRELIMSGS1

    Which type of forests are not found in Madhya Pradesh ?