Kuno National Park

• Location: Sheopur district, Madhya Pradesh.
• Protected area: Kuno National Park is part of the Kuno Wildlife Division.
• River: The Kuno River, a tributary of the Chambal River, flows through the region.
• Geographical region: It lies in the Vindhyan region of Madhya Pradesh.
• Vegetation: Mainly tropical dry deciduous forests, with grasslands and scrub vegetation.
• Major significance: It is the principal site of Project Cheetah in India.
• Project Cheetah: The project aims to establish a viable population of cheetahs in India following their extinction in the country in 1952.
• Cheetah introduction: Cheetahs from Namibia were introduced in 2022, followed by cheetahs from South Africa in 2023.
• Other wildlife: The park supports species such as leopards, striped hyenas, jackals, chinkara and sambar.
• Ecological importance: Its grasslands, open woodland and prey base provide suitable habitats for cheetahs.

Prelims MCQs

Q. Consider the following statements about Kuno National Park:
1. The Kuno River is a tributary of the Chambal River.
2. The park is associated with Project Cheetah.
3. The park lies in the Western Ghats.

A. 1 and 2 only

B. 2 and 3 only

C. 1 and 3 only

D. 1, 2 and 3

Correct:

Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Kuno is in the Vindhyan region of Madhya Pradesh, not the Western Ghats.