Why in news?
- Chhattisgarh High Court cleared the hurdles as part of the state's ongoing efforts to protect and conserve the state animal.
- In February 2023, the Chhattisgarh forest department team surveyed the Manas Tiger Reserve in Assam before the translocation of the wild buffaloes.
- The team sent DNA samples to the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in Dehradun for necessary tests such as breed accuracy and suitability.
Key Facts about Barnawapara wildlife sanctuary
- It is located in the district of Raipur in Chhattisgarh.
- The rivers Balmedhi, Jonk and Mahanadi are the lifeline river which runs along the sanctuary.
- River Balamdehi forms the western boundary and Jonk River forms the northeastern boundary of the Sanctuary.
- Flora: The sanctuary contains major vegetation of Teak, Sal and Mixed forest.
- Fauna: Cheetal, Sambhar, Nilgai and Wild Boar, Sloth Bear, Wild Dog, are commonly seen.
About Wild buffalo
- The Indian Wild Buffalo is the state animal of Chhattisgarh (India) and is a large species of bovine native to the Indian Sub-continent and South East Asia.
- Habitat: is mainly found in the alluvial grasslands, marshes, swamps and river valleys.
- In India, they are generally concentrated in North East India in Kaziranga National Park, Manas and Dibru-Saikhowa National Parks, Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary and Bura Chapori Wildlife Sanctuary, D’Ering Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh.
- Conservation Status
- IUCN: Endangered
- Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule 1
