Bhopal, 6 April 2025: The job of the person who made headlines by giving water to cheetahs from close quarters in Kuno National Park of Madhya Pradesh is now locked. In the viral video, ‘Cheetah friend’ Satyanarayan Gurjar was seen calling the cheetahs “kam kam” and giving them water from a pot.

But this act did not go down well with the forest department, and he lost his job due to violation of rules. This incident not only became a topic of discussion, but also brought to the fore the strictness of the rules of wildlife conservation.

Viral video created a stir

This video of the team handling the conservation of cheetahs in Kuno National Park spread like wildfire on social media. In this, Satyanarayan Gurjar, who was working as a driver and cheetah friend in the park, was seen calling the cheetahs close and giving them water. His hesitation was clear in the video, but some people from behind were seen instigating him to do so. The leopards came to him and started drinking water. This scene went viral in no time, but the forest department was in a panic.

According to sources, this video was shot near Umrikala village. At present, 17 leopards including 11 cubs are in the open in Kuno Park, while 9 are kept in enclosures. In such a situation, this incident raised questions on the rules of safety and conservation.

Strict stand of the forest department

As soon as the video surfaced, the forest department took immediate action. Satyanarayan Gurjar was removed from the job. A senior official of the department said, “Such contact with wildlife is strictly prohibited. This is a clear violation of the rules, even if the intention was human.” He said that it is necessary to follow the protocol made for the safety and conservation of leopards in all circumstances.

The department has also ordered a thorough investigation of this matter. It is believed that action can also be taken against other people involved in the video. A park employee, on the condition of anonymity, said, “This is not the first time this has happened, but it has become a big issue because it went viral.”

Why is it dangerous for cheetahs?

Cheetahs have been brought to Kuno National Park from Namibia and South Africa. They are a sensitive species, for whose protection strict rules have been made. Wildlife expert Dr. Raghavendra Singh says, “Human contact with cheetahs can change their behavior. This is a threat to their wild nature and can harm the purpose of conservation in the long run.” He believes that such incidents can affect the freedom and health of cheetahs.

Ramu Yadav, a villager living around the park, said, “We are asked to help the cheetahs, but we don’t understand going so close. Now that I have lost my job, I must have learned a lesson.” This shows the balance that needs to be made between conservation and human intervention.

The result of ignoring the rules

Satyanarayan Gurjar’s intention may have been to help the cheetahs, but ignoring the rules cost him dearly. The forest department says that the job of a cheetah friend is to monitor and provide support, not to have direct contact with wildlife. This incident also highlighted the challenges faced by those working at the ground level.

An official of the department said, “Employees are given training, but such acts show that there is a need to increase awareness.” This incident also raises questions about the accountability of those responsible for conservation.

What next?

Kuno National Park is an important center for cheetah conservation in India. Efforts are on to settle these cheetahs brought from abroad in the forest. But this viral video is like a warning. If action is taken against more people after the investigation, then the message will be clear that compromise with the rules will not be tolerated.

Radha Bai, who lives near the park, says, “Cheetahs are a matter of pride for us. But their safety should come first.” This sentiment is shared by everyone who wants the project to succeed. Will this incident bring about a change in conservation practices? Only investigation and time will tell. But for now, Satyanarayan’s job has become the price.