Assam’s wild buffaloes to return to Kanha after 1979 vanishing act

Bhopal: Bhopal: In a major conservation development, 12 to 15 endangered wild buffaloes are set to reach Kanha Tiger Reserve in Mandla district of Madhya Pradesh by the first week of March after travelling nearly 2,000 km by road from Assam.Forest department officials confirmed that preparations are in the final stage for the long-distance translocation from Kaziranga National Park, which holds one of the strongest genetically pure populations of wild buffalo in the country.The animals will be transported in specially designed crates under constant veterinary supervision, with scheduled halts to monitor hydration and stress levels. The March window has been chosen to avoid peak summer heat. On arrival, the buffaloes will be placed in a soft-release enclosure for acclimatisation before gradual release into the wild. Disease screening and genetic validation have already been completed at the source site, sources said.The move marks the species' return to central India decades after it disappeared from Madhya Pradesh. The last confirmed sighting in the state was recorded in 1979. According to the Wild Buffalo Conservation Action Plan (2024) prepared by the Wildlife Institute of India under the Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats scheme, wild buffaloes historically roamed Mandla, Balaghat, Amarkantak and the Satpura ranges. Prehistoric Bhimbetka rock paintings and historical records also document their presence in the region.The report identifies Kanha Tiger Reserve as a suitable reintroduction site due to its grassland–wetland ecosystem and strong protection framework. Researchers estimate the landscape could support up to 200 wild buffaloes once the population stabilises.The reintroduction plan envisages an initial batch, followed by phased releases over the next decade to maintain genetic diversity and build a viable population that could eventually disperse to adjoining forest divisions and protected areas.The translocation will be carried out jointly by the Wildlife Institute of India, and the Assam and Madhya Pradesh forest departments, under the technical supervision of the National Tiger Conservation Authority and the Central Zoo Authority.