Now wild buffalo will also lure visitors at Kanha: 2nd phase of restoration program successfully completed
A new chapter has been added to the history of wildlife conservation in Madhya Pradesh with the successful execution of the second phase of the Wild Buffalo Reintroduction Program at Kanha Tiger Reserve. The return of the 'Wild Buffalo' species—which had gone extinct from the state's forests nearly 50 yearts ago—is now becoming a reality.
On Friday, in the Supkhar Range of Kanha Tiger Reserve (Mandla), the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Smt. Samita Rajora, and the Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Shri L. Krishnamurthy, successfully released four more wild buffaloes into a specially constructed enclosure.
Present on this occasion were the Director of Kanha Tiger Reserve, Shri Ravindra Mani Tripathi; Deputy Director (Core), Shri Prakash Verma; Deputy Director (Buffer), Ms. Amitha K.B.; along with all Assistant Directors, Range Officers, and local forest staff.
Wild buffaloes have been brought from Assam's Kaziranga
Under the inspiration and guidance of Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, the Forest Department is conducting a special campaign for biodiversity conservation and the rehabilitation of endangered species. As part of this initiative, wild buffaloes are being reintroduced into the Supkhar region of Kanha, having been brought from Assam's renowned Kaziranga Tiger Reserve. Supkhar is a region where historical evidence of the presence of wild buffaloes has been found.
Four wild buffaloes were released in first phase
In the first phase of the project, on April 28, 2026, Chief Minister Dr. Yadav had released four Wild Buffaloes (one male and three females) into the special enclosure located at Supkhar. With the arrival of four more wild buffaloes in the second phase, their population at Kanha has now risen to eight. The project will be further expanded in the upcoming phases as well. This initiative is expected to foster a sustainable and healthy population of wild buffaloes within the state.
Two expert wildlife veterinarians accompanied wild buffaloes
A long distance of approximately 2,220 kilometers—spanning from Kaziranga Tiger Reserve to Kanha Tiger Reserve—was covered using specialized wildlife transport vehicles. Throughout the journey, a team of two expert wildlife veterinarians continuously conducted health check-ups and monitoring. The entire operation was led by the Assistant Directors and Range Officers. This campaign spanned a duration of approximately 72 hours.
Biodiversity of Kanha region will be further enriched
The ‘Wild Buffalo’ constitutes a vital part of India’s wildlife heritage and plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of the forest ecosystem. The return of the ‘Wild Buffalo’ will further enrich the biodiversity of the Kanha region, and the project is poised to establish itself as a successful model for wildlife restoration within the country.
Madhya Pradesh has already earned recognition for conservation initiatives focused on species such as tigers, cheetahs, and vultures. With the ‘Wild Buffalo’ restoration campaign, the state is now advancing towards yet another historic milestone in the field of wildlife conservation.