From Red Corridor to Green Revival: Kanha Reserve Brings Back Wild Buffaloes After a Century

The Supkhar range of Kanha Tiger Reserve (KTR), once identified by security agencies as a Maoist movement corridor linked to the CPI (Maoist) KB division, is set to become a key site for wildlife conservation. The area, previously associated with the group's expansion plans towards Mandla, Dindori, Umaria, Anuppur, and the Amarkantak plateau, will soon host the first batch of wild buffaloes in over a century, marking a significant ecological revival.

Forest officials have confirmed that the first group of 10 wild buffaloes, sourced from Assam, is expected to arrive in the reserve between February and March 2026. This reintroduction project aims to restore a species that has been considered extinct in Madhya Pradesh for more than 100 years, reinforcing the state's reputation as a leading hub for tiger and wildlife conservation.

The shift in the region's status is attributed to recent security gains. In the first week of December 2025, authorities successfully eliminated or secured the surrender of key cadres from the Maoist MMC zone operating in Madhya Pradesh. This has significantly reduced the presence of armed groups in the dense, non-tourist forest stretches of Supkhar, which security sources say were earlier used as safe passage routes by up to 60 cadres divided into platoons such as Khatiya Mocha, Bhoramdev, and Borla.

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The wild buffalo reintroduction is being described as one of the most ambitious translocation efforts in the “Tiger State.” Officials believe the improved ground situation now enables large-scale forest department initiatives to proceed with greater confidence and safety. The project is expected to enhance biodiversity in Kanha, one of India’s premier tiger reserves, while also aiding in the ecological restoration of a historically significant species.

The development underscores a dual transformation in the region—from a security challenge to a conservation success story—highlighting the progress made in both counter-insurgency operations and wildlife protection in eastern Madhya Pradesh. As preparations advance, the arrival of the wild buffaloes will represent a major milestone in the state’s ongoing efforts to preserve its rich natural heritage.

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