Why in news?
Five female wild buffaloes would be trans-located from Manas National Park in Assam to Udanti Wildlife Sanctuary in Raipur district, Chhattisgarh.
About it:
- The wild buffalo (Bubalusarnee), once found in abundance across northeast India extending to northern and central India, now has its last bastions in some pockets in northeast India and Chhattisgarh in central India.
- It is mainly found in the alluvial grasslands, marshes, swamps and river valleys.
- The estimated population of the wild buffalo in the northeast is roughly around 3000-4000 individuals.
- A Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) survey estimated not more than 50 individuals in three sub-populations in Indravati National Park, Pamed and Udanti Wildlife Sanctuaries in Chhattisgarh.
- The Central India Wild Buffalo Recovery Project aims to stabilise the wild buffalo population in Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve, Chhattisgarh by implementing a number of ex-situ and in situ interventions.
- It is Chattisgarh’s state animal.
- IUCN status – Endangered
About the translocation:
- The five female wild buffaloes will travel more than 1,500 km crossing five States, the longest such translocation in the country ever.
- It is aimed at reviving the waning population and expanding its territory across States.
- Now only nine buffaloes, including three females are left in the sanctuary.
- The survival hazard of inbreeding, continuing lineage and increasing male population have necessitated the translocation.
