Wild Buffalo Reintroduction in Kanha Tiger Reserve, Species

Wild Buffalo Reintroduction in Kanha Tiger Reserve is an important wildlife conservation initiative in Madhya Pradesh. The state has started restoring the species after its disappearance from local forests for nearly 100 years. Eight Wild Buffaloes brought from Assam’s Kaziranga National Park have been shifted to a larger enclosure in the Supkhar range. The programme aims to help them adapt to the local environment and gradually restore their population in their historical habitat.

Wild Buffalo Reintroduction in Kanha Tiger Reserve

Wild Buffalo Reintroduction in Kanha Tiger Reserve aims to restore the species in Madhya Pradesh through a phased process of acclimatisation and eventual release into the wild.

• Objective of the Initiative: The programme aims to bring Wild Buffaloes back to Madhya Pradesh’s forests after nearly a century and strengthen biodiversity conservation by restoring the species to its historical habitat.
• Source Population: Eight Wild Buffaloes were brought from Kaziranga National Park in Assam, covering approximately 2,200 km. The group consists of six females and two males.
• Phased Arrival of Buffaloes: The first group of four animals, comprising three females and one male, arrived on April 28. Another four, including three females and one male, arrived on May 9.
• Initial Quarantine: The animals were initially kept in a specially constructed one hectare enclosure in the Supkhar range to complete quarantine and adjust to local climatic and environmental conditions.
• Selection of Supkhar: The Supkhar range was selected because evidence indicates that Wild Buffaloes were historically present in this region. The site supports efforts to restore the species within its former distribution area.
• Population Target: The state government aims to establish a population of 50 Wild Buffaloes in the Kanha region over the next three years.
• Conservation Significance: The project seeks to restore a locally disappeared species, strengthen biodiversity and improve the ecological value of the region through the recovery of its historical wildlife population.

Wild Buffalo in India

The Wild Buffalo (Bubalus arnee), also known as the wild water buffalo, is a large wild bovine associated primarily with grasslands and wetlands in Northeast India.

• Scientific Name: The scientific name of the Wild Buffalo is Bubalus arnee. It is also commonly known as the wild water buffalo and is an important species for wildlife conservation in India.
• Natural Distribution: The species is primarily associated with Northeast India, particularly Assam. Its historical distribution also included parts of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Jharkhand.
• Habitat: Wild Buffaloes inhabit grasslands, swamps, marshes and river valleys. Historically, they were also found in the sal forests and grasslands of Central India, particularly in present day Chhattisgarh.
• IUCN Conservation Status: The Wild Buffalo is classified as Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
• Legal Protection in India: Under the Wild Life (Protection) Act 1972, the Wild Buffalo is listed in Schedule I, which provides it with the highest level of legal protection under the Act.
• Ecological Importance: Wild Buffaloes are associated with grassland and wetland ecosystems. Conserving the species and restoring its historical distribution can contribute to biodiversity conservation and the protection of natural habitats.

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