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Madhya Pradesh Set to Bring Back Wild Buffalo After Century-Long Gap

Madhya Pradesh is set to reintroduce wild buffalo after a century-long absence, with Chief Minister Mohan Yadav launching the project on Tuesday. The initiative will begin with a founder group of four buffaloes released into the Supkhar and Topla regions of Balaghat district. A total of 50 wild buffaloes from Assam's Kaziranga National Park will be translocated to Kanha Tiger Reserve in phases. The project also includes a biodiversity exchange between MP and Assam, involving rhinos, tigers, and crocodiles.

Key Points: Wild Buffalo Reintroduction in MP After 100 Years

  • MP reintroduces wild buffalo after 100 years
  • CM Yadav launches project at Kanha
  • 50 buffaloes to be translocated from Kaziranga
  • MP and Assam sign biodiversity exchange deal
2 min read

Wild buffalo set to return to MP after a century; CM Yadav to launch project at Kanha (Ld)

Madhya Pradesh to reintroduce wild buffalo after 100 years. CM Mohan Yadav launches project at Kanha Tiger Reserve with buffaloes from Assam's Kaziranga.

"This move is expected to significantly bolster the grassland ecosystem of Kanha and restore a vital ecological balance that was lost due to hunting and habitat degradation over the last century. - Press Release"

Bhopal, April 27

Madhya Pradesh is set to achieve another landmark in wildlife conservation as Chief Minister Mohan Yadav prepares to launch the wild buffalo reintroduction programme on Tuesday. Following the global attention received by the cheetah project, this initiative aims to restore a species that has been extinct in the state for over a hundred years.

The programme will officially begin in the Supkhar and Topla regions of Balaghat district, where Chief Minister Mohan Yadav will release a founder group consisting of three females and one male into their new natural habitat, said a press release.

This ambitious translocation project involves bringing 50 wild buffaloes from Kaziranga National Park in Assam to the Kanha Tiger Reserve. The first phase is already underway, with eight buffaloes scheduled for transfer during the current season.

The project is being executed with scientific precision under the watchful eyes of senior forest officials and specialised veterinarians from both states. This move is expected to significantly bolster the grassland ecosystem of Kanha and restore a vital ecological balance that was lost due to hunting and habitat degradation over the last century, the press release said.

Beyond the buffalo reintroduction, a broader biodiversity exchange has been established between Madhya Pradesh and Assam. Under an agreement reached between Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Madhya Pradesh will receive two pairs of rhinoceroses for Bhopal's Van Vihar National Park.

In exchange, the state will provide Assam with three tigers and six crocodiles, fostering a new era of inter-state cooperation in wildlife management. This strategic partnership further cements Madhya Pradesh's status as a leader in conservation, adding to its existing reputation as the tiger and leopard state of India.

The Supkhar sanctuary area, located within the sprawling expanse of the Kanha Tiger Reserve in Balaghat, serves as a pristine highland meadow ideal for rare herbivores. Characterised by its vast undulating grasslands and perennial water streams, it provides a secluded environment for the reintroduction of wild buffaloes.

Its historical significance is notable, as it was the site of the last recorded wild buffalo sighting in the region back in 1979.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Great initiative, but I hope the government also focuses on preventing man-animal conflict. Villages around Kanha already face issues with tigers. Proper fencing and compensation for crop damage should be in place before releasing these animals.
V
Vikram M
Ek saal pehle cheetah, ab wild buffalo. MP ka forest department really stepping up! The Assam-MP exchange is also smart—rhinos for tigers and crocodiles. Interstate cooperation in wildlife is the way forward. Jai Madhya Pradesh! 🙌
A
Ananya R
Wild buffalo returning to MP after 100+ years is truly historic! The Supkhar meadows sound perfect for them. But I worry about poaching risks—need strict anti-poaching measures. Also, hope the tourism boom doesn't disturb the delicate ecosystem. Balance is key! 🌍
R
Rohit P
Amazing! First cheetahs from Africa, now buffalo from Assam—MP is becoming India's conservation capital. The rhino exchange is also cool; imagine seeing rhinos at Van Vihar! Let's hope all animals adapt well. Kudos to CM Yadav and Assam CM for this collaboration. 👏
K
Kavya N
Good step, but I wish they'd also address the human cost. Farmers near Kanha already lose crops to wild animals. More herbivores means more competition for grazing land. Need better compensation and wildlife corridors. Conservation without community support won't last.

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