Botswana-India Strengthen Conservation Ties Through Cheetah Donation

Botswana-India Strengthen Conservation Ties Through Cheetah Donation. Botswana and India have taken a significant step in deepening their bilateral relations, with conservation at the heart of their collaboration. A delegation from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) of India, led by the High Commissioner of India to Botswana, H.E. Bharath Kumar Kuthati, recently paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Environment and Tourism, Hon. Wynter B. Mmolotsi, to discuss Botswana’s agreement to donate cheetahs to India.

Minister Mmolotsi confirmed that Botswana has agreed to donate eight cheetahs in support of India’s efforts to reintroduce the species into its historical range. Due to CITES restrictions, the first group of four cheetahs will be delivered in 2025, followed by another four in 2026, after assessing how the initial batch adapts to its new environment.

“Botswana is home to an extraordinary variety of wildlife. Forty percent of our country’s surface area is set aside for conservation, with 18% dedicated to national parks and 22% to wildlife management areas,” Mmolotsi told the delegation.

He emphasized that India’s selection of Botswana as a partner in Project Cheetah demonstrates confidence in the nation’s conservation record. “We acceded to this call because India is an ideal partner in the conservation and management of big cats. This collaboration allows us to share expertise and mobilize resources to address biodiversity challenges facing both countries,” he added.

The partnership underscores a growing recognition of wildlife as a shared global heritage. For Botswana, it highlights the nation’s role as a trusted leader in conservation, while for India, it strengthens efforts to restore the cheetah to its natural ecosystems.