"Tiger Reserves and Cheetah Reintroduction: The 2026 Update"
Two new tiger reserves were added in the first half of 2026. The cheetah population at Kuno grew to 29 — past the park's carrying capacity. And the cheetah project's next phase was announced: translocation to two new sites in Madhya Pradesh.
Two new tiger reserves
| Reserve | State | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Kumbhalgarh Tiger Reserve | Rajasthan | India's 56th tiger reserve. Located in the Aravalli range. Connects Ranthambore and Sariska, creating a contiguous tiger habitat across Rajasthan. Part of the larger Aravalli-Gir tiger corridor |
| Srisailam Tiger Reserve extension | Andhra Pradesh & Telangana | The existing Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve — India's largest by area — was expanded by 3,800 sq km. Incorporates the Nallamala forest, a critical habitat between the Krishna and Godavari basins |
Kuno cheetah project: the 2026 scorecard
| Metric | Status |
|---|---|
| Total population | 29 (up from 20 founders) |
| Cubs born in 2026 | 7 (highest in any year since the project began in 2022) |
| Deaths in H1 2026 | 4 (two septicemia from tracking collar wounds, one road accident outside park, one natural) |
| Carrying capacity | Kuno's capacity is approximately 21 individuals. It has been exceeded |
The government has identified two additional translocation sites: Gandhisagar Wildlife Sanctuary and Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary, both in Madhya Pradesh. Translocation to Gandhisagar is expected in 2027.
Prelims trap
"Kuno National Park is in Gujarat." False. It is in Madhya Pradesh. This is the most common cheetah-related trap in UPSC — aspirants confuse Kuno (MP) with Gir (Gujarat, the Asiatic lion habitat).
Part of: Species in News and Protected Areas: January to June 2026
Read next: New Ramsar sites H1 2026 · Species discoveries and IUCN updates
Source: NTCA; Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.