Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve selected as third cheetah home
Source:ddindia ↗

Why It Matters
Crucial for MPPSC aspirants regarding the geographical distribution of tiger reserves, national parks, and flagship wildlife conservation projects (Cheetah reintroduction) within Madhya Pradesh.
Summary
Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh is set to become the third home for cheetahs, following Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary, expanding the state's wildlife conservation efforts.
Key Points
- Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve is slated to become the third home for cheetahs in Madhya Pradesh.
- The reserve spans across Damoh, Sagar, and Narsinghpur districts of Madhya Pradesh.
- This initiative builds upon the ongoing cheetah reintroduction project in the state, expanding their habitat range.
Important Terms
Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve
Located across Sagar, Damoh, and Narsinghpur districts in Madhya Pradesh, it became the third cheetah habitat and the first tiger reserve in India to house African cheetahs under Project Cheetah.
UPSC context
Important for MPPSC Paper 3 (Environment, Biodiversity) and MP Geography; tests knowledge of Madhya Pradesh's protected areas and wildlife conservation milestones.
Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary
A premier wildlife sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh's Mandsaur and Neemuch districts, designated as a major regional site and second home for cheetah reintroduction under Project Cheetah.
UPSC context
Relevant for MPPSC Paper 1 & 3 (MP Geography and Protected Areas); questions often feature wildlife sanctuaries and regional conservation projects.
Kuno National Park
A protected area in Madhya Pradesh that served as India's primary and initial reintroduction site for African cheetahs under Project Cheetah launched in September 2022.
UPSC context
Crucial for MPPSC Paper 3 (Biodiversity and National Parks of MP); frequently tested in current affairs and environmental geography.
Static Concepts Connected
What are the major tiger reserves located in Madhya Pradesh?
- Key Reserves: Total Reserves: Madhya Pradesh has several tiger reserves including Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Pench, Panna, Satpura, Kuno, and Veerangana Durgavati.
- VDTR Status: Latest Addition: Veerangana Durgavati was notified as MP's 7th tiger reserve in September 2023, integrating Nauradehi Sanctuary.
Cross-Topic Patterns
Project Cheetah & International Wildlife Diplomacy
Cheetah reintroduction connects wildlife conservation policy with international wildlife diplomacy, specifically sourcing African cheetahs from Namibia and South Africa.
Tiger Reserves & MP Administrative Geography
The spread across Damoh, Sagar, and Narsinghpur links protected areas geography with administrative district restructuring in Madhya Pradesh.
VDTR's districts and status as MP's 7th tiger reserve frequently feature in MPPSC prelims matching questions.
Linked PYQs · 3
Linked PYQs · 3
- 2023MPPSC_PRELIMSGS1
Which type of forests are not found in Madhya Pradesh ?
- 2022MPPSC_PRELIMSGS1
Which of the following districts has large manganese reserves?
- 2025MPPSC_PRELIMSGS1
Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: | List-I (District) | List-II (Cement industry) | |-------------------|---------------------------| | (i) Damoh | 1. Malanpur | | (ii) Bhind | 2. Narsinghgarh | | (iii) Satna | 3. Banmore | | (iv) Morena | 4. Maihar | Codes: (i) (ii) (iii) (iv)