India is going to get eight leopards from this country, agreement will be made during the visit of President Draupadi Murmu

Indian President Draupadi Murmu is on a visit to the African country Botswana. The objective of his visit is to strengthen bilateral relations between India and Botswana. President Draupadi Murmu will also finalize the agreement to bring back eight leopards from the Kalahari desert to India. Leopards had become extinct in India. After this, the Government of India started Project Cheetah, under which leopards were brought from other countries and resettled in the country. India imported leopards in two batches from Namibia and South Africa. Now, Botswana will become the third country to introduce leopards to India.

21 gun salute given to President Draupadi Murmu

President Draupadi Murmu reached Botswana’s capital Gaborone on Tuesday. He was received at the airport by President Duma Gideon Boko. President Draupadi Murmu was given a 21-gun salute and guard of honour. This is the first state visit by an Indian President to Botswana. During the three-day visit, President Murmu will hold delegation level talks with her counterpart President Boko.

Agreements can be signed

Several agreements are expected to be signed between India and Botswana to enhance cooperation in sectors such as trade, investment, technology, energy, agriculture and defence. President Draupadi Murmu will also address members of the Botswana National Assembly on Wednesday. An important milestone in the journey will be the release of eight leopards into a quarantine centre. These leopards have been brought from Ghanji city of Kalahari desert.

How many leopards are there in India?

The first batch of leopards was brought to India from Namibia in 2022. The second batch of leopards arrived from South Africa in February 2023. This group includes 12 leopards. According to reports, there are currently a total of 27 leopards in India, kept in Kuno and Gandhi Sagar parks. Of these, 16 were born in India.