THE second phase of ambitious project to reintroduce wild buffaloes, which had become locally extinct in Madhya Pradesh, was launched by Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav at Kanha Tiger Reserve in Mandla on Monday. Supkhar area of Kanha Tiger Reserve has been selected for the reintroduction project. Under its first phase, eight wild buffaloes were brought safely from Assam to Kanha on April 28 and May 9, 2026, covering a road journey of approximately 2,200 kilometres. The first phase was inaugurated by Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav on April 28. As part of the second phase, all eight buffaloes were shifted to a larger enclosure on Monday. The move is aimed at facilitating their acclimatisation to the new environment, strengthening conservation efforts and laying the foundation for the restoration of a wild buffalo population in Madhya Pradesh. Additionally, Chief Minister honoured the officials and employees of the transport team who played a crucial role in safely bringing the animals from the Kaziranga region of Assam to Supkhar in Kanha Tiger Reserve. Each member of the team was presented with a cheque of Rs 10,000 in recognition of their dedication, commitment and contribution to wildlife conservation.

 

The programme was attended by Principal Secretary, Forest Department, Raghavendra Singh, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force, Shubharanjan Sen, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Dr Samita Rajoura, Madhya Pradesh Scheduled Tribes Commission member Bhagat Singh Netam, Balaghat Deputy Inspector General of Police Vineet Jain, Kanha Tiger Reserve Field Director Ravindra Mani Tripathi, Collector Kumar Satyam, SP, Aditya Mishra, Deputy Director Prakash Kumar Verma, Backward Classes Commission member Mausam Bisen, former minister Ramkishore Kawre and District Panchayat member Anupama Netam, among other public representatives and senior officials. Assistant directors, range officers and local forest department personnel of Kanha Tiger Reserve were also present. The wild buffalo reintroduction project is an important initiative for biodiversity conservation, ecological restoration and protection of Madhya Pradesh's natural heritage. The project aims to develop a suitable natural habitat for the species and eventually establish a sustainable wild population in the State.