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ActiveCentral Sector SchemeLaunched September 2022Verified: 2026-10-12

Action Plan for Introduction of Cheetah in India (Project Cheetah)

Historic central wildlife conservation programme by NTCA and MoEFCC to establish a viable free-ranging cheetah meta-population in Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary.

Audited by Eligo Public Policy Research Desk•Official Gazette & Nodal Portal Verification•Read Verification Standards →
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Official Nodal Portal:projectcheetah.org.in

Quick Eligibility Snapshot

👤 Min age 18 yrs💰 No income ceiling⚖ All genders🏛 All categories📍 All India
Government Levelcentral Government
Administering BodyMinistry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Beneficiary Sector
Applicable Jurisdiction
All India

₹Benefits & Entitlement Breakdown

Reintroduction of the extinct Asiatic/African cheetah into India grasslands, restoring top-predator ecological balance in savanna biomes. Comprehensive grassland habitat management, voluntary eco-resettlement packages of ₹15 lakh per family for forest dwellers, employment of local tribal youth as "Cheetah Mitras" (conservation scouts), and surge in wildlife eco-tourism livelihoods in Sheopur and Mandsaur districts.

📊Budget Allocation & Beneficiary Reach

Fiscal Budget Allocation

₹264 Crore financial outlay under National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and Project Tiger & Elephant funding

Official Budget Document ↗
Verified Beneficiary Reach

Over 20 cheetahs reintroduced and over 400 local youth engaged as conservation scouts and eco-guides

As of: 2026-01-31PIB / Official Citation ↗

Verified Eligibility Criteria

Age Requirement:Minimum 18 years
Annual Family Income Ceiling:No gross income ceiling specified
Target Occupations:Local Forest Resident, Eco-Guide, Tribal Youth, Wildlife Researcher
Eligible Gender:all
Social Category / Reservation:all
Specific Operational Conditions & Exclusions:

Residents of villages situated in the buffer zones of Kuno National Park, Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary, and Nauradehi Sanctuary.

📄

Required Documents Checklist

Verify readiness before applying for Action Plan for Introduction of Cheetah in India (Project Cheetah). Check off your papers or print this list before visiting your local CSC / Cyber Cafe.

Mandatory Documents(1)

Check off as ready

Supporting / Optional Documents(1)

💡

Keep self-attested photocopies and clear digital scans (100 KB – 200 KB, PDF/JPG format) ready to avoid portal upload timeouts.

🛡️Civic Research Desk • Rejection Prevention

Worried About Application Rejection for Action Plan for Introduction of Cheetah in India (Project Cheetah)?

Over 30% of applications on official portals get delayed or rejected due to minor certificate authority mismatches or unseeded bank accounts. Our civic research desk compiles a verified 1-page Scheme Blueprint tailored to your state and profile.

  • ✓Valid issuing authority rules (Tehsildar/SDM)
  • ✓Aadhaar-DBT bank seeding verification
  • ✓Direct official portal guide (no middlemen)
  • ✓Email delivery in 1–2 hrs during desk hours
Civic Research Fee:₹49One-time
Get Scheme Blueprint (₹49)→

🔒 Secure Razorpay Checkout • 100% Independent

Application Effort & Process Friction

Readiness assessment derived from official prerequisites, mandatory documentation, and submission channels.

Easy to Access (1/10)
•100% digital online application process
•1 mandatory document required

Effort scores reflect portal accessibility, mandatory document burden, and physical verification requirements.

How to Apply

🛡️
Government Application Safety Advisory:Application for this welfare program is processed exclusively on official government infrastructure (projectcheetah.org.in). Never pay registration charges or advance processing fees to unauthorized third-party agents. Central and State welfare scheme applications do not require paying private intermediaries.
  1. 1

    National Project Steering Committee executes inter-governmental translocations from African range nations (Namibia, South Africa).

  2. 2

    Cheetahs undergo statutory quarantine in soft-release bomas under veterinary supervision.

  3. 3

    Radio-collared animals are released into free-ranging wilderness areas.

  4. 4

    Local youth from fringe villages apply to Forest Division for selection and honorarium as "Cheetah Mitras".

  5. 5

    Forest fringe residents affected by livestock depredation submit compensation claims for immediate ex-gratia DBT settlement.

✅Before You Begin — Pre-Application Checklist

✓Ensure Aadhaar is linked with active mobile number
✓Bank account is NPCI-mapped (Aadhaar-seeded) for DBT
✓Check if you already receive a similar Central scheme benefit
✓Keep documents ready: income/caste/domicile certificates as applicable

⚠️Common Rejection Reasons — Avoid These

Non-bonafide compensation claims lacking veterinary post-mortem confirmation of predator kill.

Official Government Application Portal

You will be redirected to the secure official portal: projectcheetah.org.in

Apply on official government website
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Frequently Asked Questions (Officially Sourced)

Verified answers sourced directly from official circulars, gazettes, and portal FAQs. Never AI-invented.

When was the first batch of cheetahs reintroduced into India?

The first batch of 8 cheetahs from Namibia was released into Kuno National Park on September 17, 2022, followed by 12 cheetahs from South Africa in February 2023.

Source: Official Scheme FAQ ↗

What is the role of a "Cheetah Mitra"?

Cheetah Mitras are local village volunteers trained to educate villagers about cheetah behavior, report animal movements, and prevent human-wildlife conflict.

Source: Official Scheme FAQ ↗

Which sanctuary is being prepared as the second habitat for cheetahs?

Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh is prepared as the second free-ranging habitat with fenced predator enclosures.

Source: Official Scheme FAQ ↗

Who is eligible to apply for Action Plan for Introduction of Cheetah in India (Project Cheetah)?

Eligible applicants must satisfy official government criteria for Action Plan for Introduction of Cheetah in India (Project Cheetah). Age: min 18 years. Conditions: Residents of villages situated in the buffer zones of Kuno National Park, Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary, and Nauradehi Sanctuary..

Source: Official Scheme FAQ ↗

Can I track my Action Plan for Introduction of Cheetah in India (Project Cheetah) application status?

Application status for Action Plan for Introduction of Cheetah in India (Project Cheetah) can typically be tracked through the official portal at projectcheetah.org.in using your Aadhaar number, application reference number, or registered mobile number. Alternatively, contact the scheme helpline or visit your nearest Common Service Centre (CSC).

What should I do if my Action Plan for Introduction of Cheetah in India (Project Cheetah) payment is delayed or rejected?

First, verify your Aadhaar-bank account seeding status on the NPCI mapper (npci.org.in). If seeding is confirmed and payment is still pending, register a complaint on the Central Public Grievance Redressal System at pgportal.gov.in. You may also file an RTI application at rtionline.gov.in to obtain official rejection reasons within 30 days.

Is there an income tax implication for receiving Action Plan for Introduction of Cheetah in India (Project Cheetah) benefits?

Agricultural income and certain welfare subsidies may be exempt from income tax under Section 10 of the Income Tax Act, 1961. Tax treatment varies by scheme type and beneficiary income level. Consult a certified tax practitioner or visit incometax.gov.in for scheme-specific tax guidance.

Common Rejection Reasons & Warnings

Non-bonafide compensation claims lacking veterinary post-mortem confirmation of predator kill.

Editorial Verification & Change Log

Scheme verification and change history
DateFieldDescription / UpdateSource Citation
2026-10-18scheme_typecsOfficial Source ↗
2026-09-21initial_verificationBaseline verification of Project Cheetah Action Plan guidelines, Kuno/Gandhi Sagar habitat protocols, and Cheetah Mitra engagement.Official Source ↗

⚖Compare with Similar Schemes

Side-by-side eligibility, benefit, and effort comparison:

Application Window & Deadlines

Continuous conservation management under 10-year Cheetah Action Plan

Scheme Intelligence

How is this calculated? ↗
Data ConfidenceFully Verified (95%)

Verified 7d ago from .gov.in source

Access FrictionEasy to Access

Apply online with minimal documents

How to Apply🏢In-Person / Office
Scale & Impact
👥Over 20 cheetahs reintroduced and over 400 local youth engaged as conservation scouts and eco-guides (as of 2026-01-31)
₹₹264 Crore financial outlay under National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and Project Tiger & Elephant funding budget allocation
📅Running since 2022
🔄2 verified updates — actively maintained

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📅Scheme Milestone Timeline

2026-10-18scheme_type

cs

Official Source ↗
2026-09-21initial_verification

Baseline verification of Project Cheetah Action Plan guidelines, Kuno/Gandhi Sag...

Official Source ↗
⚡

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Official Helpline & Nodal Offices

National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)

B-1 Wing, 7th Floor, Pt. Deendayal Antyodaya Bhawan, CGO Complex, New Delhi, Delhi 110003

Helpline: 011-24367835

Jurisdiction: National (All-India)

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Verification Metadata

Last verified by Eligo researchers on 2026-10-12 against official government documentation.

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