“Madhya Pradesh is already recognised as a leading State for tigers and cheetahs and is now emerging as a hub for multiple species including vultures, crocodiles, gharials and wolves. Wildlife initiatives such as cheetah reintroduction in Kuno and expansion plans in other sanctuaries, demonstrate the State’s commitment to ecological restoration and biodiversity conservation,” said Dr Mohan Yadav, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh. Chief Minister Dr Yadav described the reintroduction of wild buffaloes in Madhya Pradesh as a historic moment, marking the revival of a species that had disappeared from the State around a century ago. Launching the Wild Buffalo Reintroduction Programme in the Supkhar range of Kanha Tiger Reserve, on Tuesday, the Chief Minister oversaw the soft release of four wild buffaloes brought from Kaziranga National Park. He congratulated the people of the State on the arrival of what he called new guests to Madhya Pradesh’s forests. Dr Yadav said, the initiative would strengthen the State’s ecosystem, particularly grassland conservation, while enhancing wildlife diversity. He added that the move would also boost eco-tourism and create employment opportunities for local communities.

 

The Chief Minister said that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, efforts are being made to reintroduce extinct species in the State. The translocation of wild buffaloes has also strengthened ecological cooperation between Madhya Pradesh and Assam. The four animals, three females and one male, are all young and healthy. They were part of a larger group of seven buffaloes identified between March 19 and April 10, 2026, from different ranges of Kaziranga. On April 25, the selected animals completed a 2,000-km journey from Assam to Kanha under the supervision of wildlife experts and veterinarians. They have now been released into a protected enclosure in Supkhar as part of a phased acclimatisation process. Wild buffaloes, once native to Madhya Pradesh, had gone locally extinct nearly 100 years ago. Their return is expected to play a crucial role in maintaining grassland ecosystems within Kanha. Studies by the Wildlife Institute of India identified Kanha as a suitable habitat due to its vast grasslands, adequate water sources and minimal human interference. The programme was attended by public representatives, forest officials and local administration officers.