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A wild buffalo (Bubalus bubalis arnee) in Udanti Wildlife Sanctuary, Chhattisgarh |
There is much more to India’s wildlife than the widely-talked-about flagship species like the tiger, the rhino or the elephant. While conservation efforts dedicated to these flagships trickles down benefits to other species that share their habitat, certain species require more than just these indirect interventions for survival.
The wild buffalo (Bubalus bubalis arnee) population of Central India is one such example whose local existence is gravely threatened. Once found in abundance across northeast India extending to northern and central India, the species now has its last bastions in some pockets in northeast India and Chhattisgarh state.
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Wild buffaloes in the northeast Indian state of Assam |
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. A thorough count was conducted only in Udanti, as the other two protected areas faced political disturbances. The survey established that only seven wild buffaloes remained in Udanti in mid-2010 and that only one of them was female.
In addition to the critically low population, wild buffaloes in Udanti also face threats in the form of extreme competition for resources from livestock, conflicts and habitat degeneration among others.
The wild buffalo is listed in Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. With less than 4000 individuals estimated to be remaining in the wild, the species is also classified as endangered in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
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The lone female wild buffalo (Bubalus bubalis arnee) with her calf in Udanti |
The Udanti Wild Buffalo Recovery Project aims to stabilise the wild buffalo population in Udanti Wildlife Sanctuary, Chhattisgarh by implementing a number of ex situ and in situ interventions.
A joint venture with the Forest Department, the project began with the evaluation of the number of wild buffaloes in four wildlife sanctuaries – Udanti, Pamed, Sitanadi and Bhairamgarh – and a national park – Indravati - in Chhattisgarh. The survey revealed that no buffaloes remained in Sitanadi and Bhairamgarh WLS. Indravati NP had a relatively large population of about 30 individuals and Pamed WLS had 5-8 buffaloes, but no conservation initiatives could be undertaken in these protected areas because of the security situation.
In Udanti WLS, systematic observations established that only seven individuals, including a male calf, remained. The urgency for intervention was emphasised by the fact that the population comprised a lone female.
Following these stark revelations, WTI helped the Forest Department prepare a five-year Action Plan for the recovery of the wild buffalo population in Udanti. The Action Plan which was subsequently approved by the governing council of the project comprised three basic objectives – ensuring zero unnatural deaths of the remaining individuals, habitat improvement, and population augmentation by re-stocking (especially females) from closely-related populations or conservation breeding.
In line with the first objective of the Action Plan – to prevent unnatural deaths of the remaining individuals - constant monitoring, periodic health examination and treatment as required is being undertaken. Over the years, the monitoring exercise has resulted in a fairly detailed data on the ranging ecology of the buffaloes.
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Left: Dr NVK Ashraf, Director, WTI treats an injured wild buffalo in Udanti
Right: Dr RP Mishra, Manager, WTI during a transect survey |
Habitat restoration activities like deweeding, fire prevention and ensuring water availability have been conducted to provide a suitable habitat to the buffaloes.
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A farmer residing in the vicinity of Udanti WLS displays crop damage in his farm |
Socio-economic surveys conducted in 15 of the 17 fringe villages of Udanti revealed that the people were dependent mainly on agriculture for livelihood. To mitigate human-wild buffalo conflict, the Forest Department has initiated a compensation scheme for losses incurred by public due to crop damage by wild animals. The project records instances of these conflicts, and coordinates quick compensation to prevent a backlash of the affected people.
These socio-economic surveys also revealed that 81% of the households owned livestock and that the cattle are left to graze inside the sanctuary throughout the year. The studies on the ranging ecology of the wild buffaloes revealed that they avoided areas occupied by domestic buffaloes and in fact even adopted nocturnal habits. To reduce competition and improve habitat suitability for the wild buffaloes, local people are being encouraged to sell off their buffaloes. The project also organises preventive vaccination of livestock around Udanti WLS.
One of the most important initiatives of the project is the in situ conservation breeding of wild buffaloes. Soon after finding the status of the Udanti wild buffalo population, the lone female buffalo and her male calf were confined in a spacious boma within the sanctuary for its safety. The calf was subsequently released in the wild.
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The wild buffalo conservation breeding centre in Udanti WLS, Chhattisgarh, where the lone female is being kept |
Last year, two male buffaloes were relocated into the boma to present the female with mating opportunities. The female conceived a healthy male calf in October 2009, bringing the total number of wild buffaloes in Udanti to eight.
For population augmentation, re-stocking of wild buffaloes in Udanti is being planned. Currently, genetic studies are being carried out to identify closely-related populations.
Apart from these activities, the project lists out a number of other urgent interventions to secure the wild buffalo population of Central India. These include protection of the buffaloes by improving basic infrastructure of the protected areas administration, habitat improvement by facilitating voluntary relocation of villages from wild buffalo habitat, prevention of epidemics among many others. Currently, however, implementation of these initiatives is affected due to insufficient funding.
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The female wild buffalo and her male calf in the conservation breeding centre in Udanti WLS |
--A healthy male calf was conceived by the female buffalo confined in the boma in October 2009, as an outcome of the conservation breeding programme. With this the number of buffaloes in Udanti has reached eight. The calf and the female remain in the boma, and are being monitored daily.
--Deweeding has been carried out in about 2000 hectares in grasslands within the sanctuary to make habitat suitable for the wild buffaloes. Additionally, the Forest Department has dug up/deepened 10 water pools, and has identified and maintains summer waterholes to ensure water availability during summers.
--More than 8000 heads of livestock in the vicinity of the sanctuary are vaccinated annually to prevent disease transmission to the wild animals.
--Since the initiation of the attempt to free the sanctuary of domestic buffaloes, about 160 domestic buffaloes have been sold by villagers living in the vicinity.
--The female wild buffalo and her newborn calf are confined in the boma for safety. Both individuals are healthy. The Chhattisgarh Forest Department has been ensuring sufficient fodder and water for the buffaloes
--Between July and December 2009, a total of 57 households that incurred losses due to crop damage by wild animals were compensated under the Forest Department scheme.
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Dung collection for genetic analysis |
--The project collaborates with the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad, for genetic analysis of the wild buffaloes from various populations to examine the feasibility of restocking in Udanti. Genetic samples of wild and domestic buffaloes from Udanti and wild buffaloes from northeast India have been collected and sent to CCMB for analysis.
--The project implementers have also entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Center for Semen Collection, College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Anjora, Durg district, Chhattisgarh, to collect and preserve the germplasm of the wild buffalo.
--Surveys have been conducted in protected areas in Orissa and Maharashtra to establish presence of wild buffaloes.
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Top (L & R): Surveying forests in states adjoining Chhattisgarh to identify presence of wild buffaloes
Bottom: Villagers and survey team pose for a picture following a questionnaire survey in Orissa
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