Asiatic Wild Buffalo (Bubalus arnee)
Why in News?
- The Chhattisgarh Forest Department has announced a plan to translocate Asiatic Wild Buffaloes from Assam to Pamed Wildlife Sanctuary, Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve and Indravati Tiger Reserve to revive the critically depleted wild buffalo population in Central India. The initiative was reported on 3 August 2026.
About
- Scientific Name: Bubalus arnee
- Common Name: Asiatic Wild Buffalo / Wild Water Buffalo
- Family: Bovidae
- Habitat: Floodplains, wetlands, marshes, riverine grasslands and forests.
- Distribution: India, Nepal, Bhutan, Thailand and Cambodia.
- India hosts nearly 95% of the global wild population, mainly in Assam.
Latest Developments
- Chhattisgarh plans to import wild buffaloes from Assam to strengthen its dwindling population.
- Proposed release sites include:
- Pamed Wildlife Sanctuary
- Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve
- Indravati Tiger Reserve
- The programme aims to improve genetic diversity and establish a self-sustaining population in Central India.
Significance
- Prevents local extinction of the species in Central India.
- Enhances genetic diversity through scientific translocation.
- Strengthens conservation of grassland and wetland ecosystems.
- Supports India's species recovery and landscape-level conservation efforts.
Challenges
- Hybridisation with domestic buffaloes.
- Habitat degradation and fragmentation.
- Diseases transmitted from livestock.
- Human-wildlife conflict.
- Small and isolated populations.
Way Forward
- Scientific translocation with genetic monitoring.
- Strengthen habitat protection in tiger reserves and wildlife sanctuaries.
- Prevent interbreeding with domestic buffaloes.
- Increase community participation in conservation programmes.
