The birth of 5 more Cheetahs leads to a Tourism Boom at Kuno National Park

The reintroduction of cheetahs into Kuno National Park has sparked a remarkable tourism boom and economic revival in the adjoining districts of Sheopur and Mandsaur. 

Once a quiet wilderness, Kuno has become a national and international wildlife hotspot, following the historic return of cheetahs to Indian soil after more than seven decades.

According to officials, tourism footfall has surged by over 120%, drawing thousands of visitors, including wildlife enthusiasts, researchers, and photographers. With the influx of tourists, revenue from tourism in the region has doubled over the past year. Local homestays, guides, and restaurants are thriving, with the ripple effect revitalizing nearby towns and villages.

The region is currently home to 31 cheetahs, including five cubs born in Kuno (Sheopur) this week and two males recently relocated to the Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Mandsaur. With 29 cheetahs now in Kuno alone, the park has reached its carrying capacity, prompting authorities to accelerate relocation plans to Gandhi Sagar, whose expansive grasslands and rich prey base make it an ideal new habitat.

This historic conservation initiative marks the first successful large-scale rewilding of a species in a region where it had gone extinct. The return of the cheetah has not only restored ecological balance but also ignited environmental awareness and pride among local communities.

Authorities view conservation-driven tourism as a sustainable model for regional development. As Kuno continues to draw attention from across the globe, it stands as a beacon of wildlife-led rural transformation — a rare case where ecology and economy move forward hand in hand.