Sheopur/ Bhopal June 22, 2026

The demand for bringing Asiatic lions to Kuno National Park resurfaced on Sunday as villagers and activists staged a satyagraha in Sheopur ahead of President Droupadi Murmu's visit to the park. Demonstrators submitted a memorandum addressed to the President, urging intervention to revive the long-pending plan of establishing Kuno as the second home for Asiatic lions outside Gujarat's Gir landscape.

The protest was organised by the Kuno Sangharsh Samiti at Gandhi Park in Sheopur. The timing was significant as it coincided with the final leg of President Murmu's five-day visit from June 18-22 to Madhya Pradesh. The President reached Kuno National Park in the evening. Sheopur Tehsildar Darshanlal Boudh received the memorandum on her behalf.

The issue has deep roots in Kuno's conservation history. The sanctuary was originally prepared for the rehabilitation of Asiatic lions. Following recommendations by wildlife experts and surveys conducted by the Wildlife Institute of India during the early 1990s, Kuno was identified as one of the most suitable sites for establishing a second free-ranging lion population. The move was aimed at reducing the risk of keeping the entire Asiatic lion population concentrated in a single landscape.

According to information shared by local journalist Krishan Kant Upadhyay (Banti), the protest remained peaceful on Sunday. Villagers and activists first held a sit-in at Gandhi Park before taking out a procession through the town. The rally moved from Gandhi Park towards the Kotwali police station via Jai Stambh. Participants raised slogans supporting lion rehabilitation in Kuno and carried placards declaring the park as the natural home of Asiatic lions. A memorandum was later handed over to the administration. In their memorandum, the protesters urged the President to ask the Centre to take necessary steps for advancing the lion translocation programme. The demand is expected to remain part of the local conservation debate as Kuno continues to occupy a central place in India's wildlife management and species recovery efforts.

The issue has gained renewed attention in recent years after Kuno emerged as the country's cheetah reintroduction site. While the arrival of African cheetahs transformed the park into a flagship wildlife destination, some local groups continue to argue that the original objective of lion rehabilitation remains incomplete. They maintain that both conservation goals and the expectations of displaced families deserve attention.

During her visit to Kuno National Park, President Droupadi Murmu visited the Cheetah Control and Command Centre. Officials briefed her on the monitoring system used to track the movement and health of cheetahs in the wild. The President also viewed an exhibition showcasing the progress of Project Cheetah and Kuno's wider conservation efforts. The exhibition highlighted the journey of cheetah reintroduction in India, habitat management measures, wildlife monitoring systems and the role of local communities in conservation. Officials briefed the President on the achievements and challenges of the ambitious programme, which has positioned Kuno as the centre of India's cheetah restoration efforts.

The exhibition also showcased Kuno's biodiversity, eco-tourism potential and the role of local communities in supporting conservation, reflecting the wider environmental and socio-economic impact of the project.