Madhya Pradesh CM Yadav releases gharials, turtles at Kuno National Park

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Sunday released gharials and turtles from Kuno National Park in Sheopur district into the river and said it was an important step towards conservation.

Mr. Yadav released 53 gharials and 25 turtles into the Kuno River near Palpur Fort within the national park during a program organized under the aegis of the National Chambal Sanctuary.

Speaking on the occasion, he said that efforts to protect and increase the gharial and turtle population are being carried out and the state government is making efforts to protect the endangered species.

Mr. Yadav pointed out that the cheetah reintroduction project launched in KNP on the initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is steadily moving towards success.

Nine cheetahs, flown from Botswana, were released into the national park on Saturday, increasing their number to 48.

According to officials, 28 of the gharials released into the river were male and 25 were female.

It was stated that the released turtles belonged to the three-lined roofed turtle species (Batagur dhongoka).