By Karmrath News Desk
After nearly a century, wild buffalo have returned to Kanha. On Tuesday, four wild buffaloes were released into an enclosure at the Kanha Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh’s Balaghat district. This marks the return of a species that had disappeared from the state almost a century ago. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav launched the project in the Supkhar range on Tuesday morning. The animals have been placed in a controlled enclosure, where they will remain under observation for some time before being released into the forest.
All four animals, three females and one male, are not yet fully grown adults. They were brought from Kaziranga National Park and travelled nearly 2,000 kilometres to reach Kanha. Officials and veterinary teams from both parks were involved in the process. According to the government, seven wild buffaloes were selected between March 19 and April 10, of which four arrived in Kanha on April 25.
A Species that Gradually Disappeared
The wild buffalo, scientifically known as Bubalus arnee, is different from the domestic buffalo. It is larger in size and is considered an endangered species. Its population has declined sharply over the past 100 years.
The last recorded sighting of a wild buffalo in Madhya Pradesh was in 1979, also in the Supkhar area. Some reports say the species disappeared around 50 years ago, while government documents place its disappearance closer to 100 years ago. The difference lies in when the population became extremely rare and when it was last seen.
Today, wild buffalo numbers in India remain limited. Most are found in Assam, with a smaller population in Chhattisgarh. Kaziranga has the largest population of the species. A study by the Wildlife Institute of India identified Kanha as the most suitable site for reintroduction because of its extensive grasslands, water availability and low human interference.
Why Kanha was Chosen
Grasslands in Kanha have been managed carefully for many years. The system was originally developed mainly for tigers, but the same conditions are also considered suitable for wild buffaloes.
The animals graze on grass and help maintain the balance of grassland ecosystems. Experts say the absence of such animals weakens the ecological system.
The chief minister said the return of wild buffaloes would benefit the grasslands and restore an important ecological link. He added that the long-term target is to establish a population of 50 wild buffaloes in the reserve. He also said discussions are underway about bringing rhinos to Kanha in the future.
In his statement, he thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for their support.
Madhya Pradesh’s Expanding Wildlife Efforts
The move comes as the state is already working on the cheetah project. Kuno National Park currently has more than 50 cheetahs. Some have also been shifted to the Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, while the Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary near Sagar is also being prepared.
The chief minister said Madhya Pradesh is already known for tigers, cheetahs and vultures, and that the wild buffalo has now been added to that list. The state government considers the project important for both wildlife conservation and tourism.
What Happens Next
The four buffaloes are currently being monitored inside the Supkhar enclosure. Since they are not fully mature, officials believe their chances of long-term survival are higher.
The forest department will continue monitoring their health and behaviour before eventually releasing them into the open forest. The government plans to gradually increase the population to 50, which will require continued cooperation with Assam.
Kanha is already known for saving the hardground barasingha. The return of the wild buffalo now adds another chapter to its conservation history. What happens next will depend on how well the animals adapt to the habitat and whether their population can eventually grow naturally.
For now, the four buffaloes remain in Supkhar, adjusting to a new environment and marking the beginning of a new phase.