Bhupender Yadav releases Gujarat Action Plan for Great Indian Bustard and reviews Project Cheetah at Bhuj
On 13 September 2026, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav chaired a review of the Great Indian Bustard, grassland restoration and Project Cheetah at Bhuj, Kachchh, and released the Gujarat Action Plan for GIB Conservation.
Summary
The Gujarat Action Plan for Great Indian Bustard (GIB) Conservation, prepared by the Wildlife Institute of India with the Gujarat Forest Department, was released by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav at a review meeting in Bhuj. It aims at a minimum viable population of over 30 birds and 200–500 sq km of safe, contiguous habitat for the Critically Endangered bird, beginning with the roughly 200 sq km Lala–Rawa landscape in Kachchh. Yadav said grasslands cover nearly 24% of India's land area but are among the most degraded ecosystems, and a five-year national assessment is proposed with WII, ICFRE and the Forest Survey of India. On Project Cheetah, he said India's population has grown from 29 founder cheetahs to 52, including 49 cubs born in India, with cub survival at Kuno around 68%. Protected cheetah habitat now covers 3,428 sq km across Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar, and Gujarat's Banni Grasslands and Madhya Pradesh's Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary are future release sites. Project Cheetah began on 17 September 2022, when eight cheetahs from Namibia were released in Kuno.
Key facts
- Date / place
- 13 Sep 2026, Bhuj, Kachchh (Gujarat)
- GIB plan
- Gujarat Action Plan by WII + Gujarat Forest Dept — target 30+ birds, 200–500 sq km habitat
- First focus
- ~200 sq km Lala–Rawa landscape
- Cheetahs
- 52 now (from 29 founders); 49 cubs born in India; Kuno cub survival ~68%
- Cheetah habitat
- 3,428 sq km — Kuno + Gandhi Sagar; next: Banni (GJ), Nauradehi (MP)
- Project Cheetah
- Began 17 Sep 2022 — 8 cheetahs from Namibia released in Kuno
Practice MCQs 4 questions
Which institution prepared the Gujarat Action Plan for Great Indian Bustard Conservation released on 13 September 2026, with the Gujarat Forest Department?
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Correct answer: B — Wildlife Institute of India
The plan was prepared by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in collaboration with the Gujarat Forest Department.
Which two sites have been identified as future cheetah release sites under Project Cheetah, as stated at the Bhuj review?
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Correct answer: D — Banni Grasslands and Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary
Banni Grasslands in Gujarat and Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh are the future release sites.
According to the review on 13 September 2026, what is India's current cheetah population?
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Correct answer: D — 52
The population has grown from 29 founder cheetahs to 52, including 49 cubs born in India.
Consider the following about Project Cheetah: 1. It began on 17 September 2022 with the release of eight cheetahs from Namibia in Kuno National Park. 2. Protected cheetah habitat now spans Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. Eight Namibian cheetahs were released in Kuno on 17 September 2022, and protected habitat now covers 3,428 sq km across Kuno and Gandhi Sagar.