Four Asiatic Wild Water Buffaloes have been translocated from Kaziranga Tiger Reserve to Kanha Tiger Reserve of MP, as part of a major wildlife conservation programme.

• In 2023, Chhattisgarh successfully translocated the four wild buffaloes from Assam’s Manas Tiger Reserve to Chhattisgarh’s Barnawapara sanctuary.

About the Translocation Project

• First batch: 1 male and 3 females transported over 2,000 km by road
• Multi-phase plan to translocate around 50 buffaloes
• Conducted with support of: Forest departments of Assam and Madhya Pradesh & Veterinarians and wildlife experts
• Uses soft release technique (boma enclosure) for acclimatisation

About Asiatic Wild Water Buffalo

• • Scientific name: Bubalus arnee
  • State animal of Chhattisgarh and is the second heaviest living bovid species on earth, native to the Indian Sub-continent and South East Asia.
  • Status:
    • Endangered on IUCN Red List
    • Schedule I species under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972
  • Global population: Less than 4,000, with about 99% in Assam.
    • Kaziranga National Park in Assam, holds the world’s largest population of wild water buffalo.

• Features: 

• Weigh around 700 to 1,200 kg.

• Both females and males bear horns.

• Habitat:

• • • Primarily found in the alluvial grasslands, marshes, swamps and river valleys.

• Behaviour:

• • Live in groups and adult males form large herds containing 10 to 20 members.
  • However, older males generally prefer to live in solitude.

Objectives of the Initiative

• Reintroduce species in areas where it became locally extinct (Madhya Pradesh)
• Create a genetically viable population outside Assam
• Enhance grassland ecosystem management
• Reduce risk of disease or disaster wiping out a single population

Institutional Framework

• Operates under:
  • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
  • Guidelines of National Board for Wildlife
• Spearheaded by:
  • State forest departments
  • Supported by wildlife conservation authorities

Exam Hook

Prelims Question:
With reference to Asiatic Wild Water Buffalo, consider the following:

1. It is listed as Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List
2. It is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
3. Its largest population is found in Madhya Pradesh

Select the correct answer:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

One-line Wrap

The translocation of wild buffaloes marks a major step in securing India’s biodiversity through scientific and cooperative conservation.

Source