Visitors sight cheetahs as Kuno National Park reopens after monsoon

Tourists have begun flocking to Kuno National Park after it reopened on October 1 following a three-month monsoon closure, with visitors now able to witness cheetahs roaming freely in the wild—a first for India.According to information,entry is allowed through all three gates Tiktoli, Ahera, and Pipalbawdi with permits available both online via the MP Online portal and offline at the gates. As part of the schedule, morning and evening safaris are being conducted with different timings for winter and summer months. The park will remain closed for evening safaris every Wednesday.At Tiktoli gate, only registered gypsies are permitted, while at Ahera and Pipalbawdi, both light motor vehicles carrying up to six passengers and registered gypsies are allowed. In addition to entry permit fees, tourists are required to pay Rs 2,500 for a gypsy and Rs800 for a guide. Officials said adequate arrangements have been made to ensure safety, smooth tourist movement, and protection of the park’s ecology.
Kuno has become a global attraction since the cheetah reintroduction project began, with 24 cheetahs currently in the park including 16 roaming in the open forest and 8, along with cubs, housed in enclosures. Some female cheetahs are raising cubs and teaching them to hunt, while others continue to move across the forest landscape. A few cheetahs have even strayed into adjoining districts such as Veerpur, Vijaypur, and Morena.Officials indicated that after the Cheetah Steering Committee’s next meeting, more cheetahs may be released into the wild, enhancing the safari experience for visitors.
Meanwhile, the reopening of the Satpura Tiger Reserve’s core area has been delayed until October 11 due to heavy rains in late September, which left forest tracks unsuitable for vehicle movement. Tourists who had booked safaris between October 1 and 10 will be refunded. Until then, buffer zone safaris and Pachmarhi tourism will continue as usual.Satpura Tiger Reserve is home to over 70 tigers as well as leopards, bison, deer, and numerous bird species. Popular attractions include the Tawa Dam backwaters and historic sites such as Jhunjhun Mahal, Churna, and Devgarh, offering unique experiences including boat rides into the core.With Kuno reopening and Satpura set to follow soon, Madhya Pradesh’s national parks are once again drawing wildlife enthusiasts eager to explore the state’s rich biodiversity.

(Asstt.Editor)