Wild Buffalo returns to Kanha Tiger Reserve after 150 years

Bhopal | Deck: Four wild buffaloes have arrived at Madhya Pradesh's Kanha Tiger Reserve. The group consists of one male and three females. Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav released these buffaloes into the Supkhar-Topla zone of Balaghat district on Tuesday. The Madhya Pradesh government brought these buffaloes from Assam's Kaziranga National Park.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav remarked that today is a historic day for Madhya Pradesh. After 150 years, the wild buffalo has returned once again to the soil of Madhya Pradesh, specifically, to the Kanha Tiger Reserve. This represents a remarkable opportunity for our environment and our ecosystem. It marks the auspicious return of a guest, one who had departed from our land back to its native soil. Their arrival will serve to strengthen the ecosystem.

He added that it is through such occasions that our forests are enriched. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, various wildlife species that had gone extinct or departed from this region one by one are now making their way back into the forests of Madhya Pradesh.

CM Dr. Yadav stated that these animals will enhance the splendor of our forests. They will also become a major center of attraction, thereby having a positive impact on tourism. Furthermore, this initiative has forged a new bond between our state and Assam. I would also like to express my gratitude to the Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma. During our previous meeting, we had discussed the possibility of bringing in wild buffalo and rhinos. Today marks the commencement of the first phase of that collaborative effort.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav noted that our state currently holds the distinction of being the "Cheetah State" and the "Leopard State." The state also possesses healthy populations of crocodiles, gharials, and wolves. Moreover, the state has now earned the title of "Vulture State." Madhya Pradesh boasts a glorious history regarding its wildlife. The state is now being revitalized through the return of these magnificent creatures. Through the reintroduction of species that had vanished centuries ago, the dream of preserving Madhya Pradesh's rich forests and wildlife is finally becoming a reality. This endeavor of ours will undoubtedly benefit future generations.

Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav concluded by stating that while governments routinely undertake initiatives related to infrastructure development and public welfare, there are times when taking bold and decisive measures becomes imperative for the health and preservation of the ecosystem. I am delighted that, thanks to the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cheetahs, which had vanished from the entire Asian continent, were successfully reintroduced in 2022.

He stated that the cheetahs in our Gandhi Sagar and Kuno (in Sheopur) regions are thriving. Our Nauradehi Sanctuary is also being prepared to accommodate cheetahs. Just yesterday, taking a significant step towards women's empowerment, we convened a special session of the Legislative Assembly, and today, we have welcomed a new guest to our forests to further enhance their natural beauty. On the land of Kanha, a new chapter in the history of our forests is being written.