GUWAHATI: The Kanha Tiger Reserve is set to witness the return of wild buffaloes, a species that disappeared from central India decades ago, marking a landmark conservation initiative.
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The reintroduction programme will be formally launched on April 28 by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav in Balaghat. As part of the first phase, four wild buffaloes—comprising three females and one male—will be released into the Supkhar and Topla ranges of the reserve.
These animals have been brought from Kaziranga National Park in Assam, which hosts one of the largest populations of wild buffaloes globally. Officials indicated that this is only the beginning of a long-term plan, with plans to gradually introduce around 50 animals to establish a stable and self-sustaining population.
The initiative is part of a broader inter-state conservation partnership between Madhya Pradesh and Assam, reflecting an increasing emphasis on collaborative wildlife management. The agreement also opens avenues for the exchange and relocation of other species in the future.
Wild buffaloes once roamed across central India but were driven to extinction due to excessive hunting, habitat loss, and human encroachment. Their reintroduction is expected to play a crucial role in restoring ecological balance, particularly in Kanha’s grassland ecosystems, which experts consider highly suitable for the species.
Authorities said the entire process is being conducted under strict scientific supervision, with teams of veterinarians and wildlife experts closely monitoring the animals to ensure their acclimatisation to the new habitat.