Bisons to be released in Bandhavgarh National Park

Umaria, MP, Apr 12 (UNI) The Madhya Pradesh Forest Department has chalked out a unique plan for long-term conservation of endangered Bison species.

Under this plan, bisons would be sent from the Kanha Tiger Reserve to Bandhavgarh National Park, as release of bisons in areas where they can multiply through natural breeding in vast environs has become imperative.

This scheme is being started in Madhya Pradesh for the first time in the country, which would prove to be very useful in wildlife management, an official release said here yesterday.

Forest Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah said a team of forest department officials would be sent to South Africa for undergoing rehabilitation training.

Transfer and rehabilitation of wild animals is undertaken as per some set procedure in which South African forest officials possess expertise and required experience.

Initially, a five-member team of forest department officials would pay a study tour to South Africa.

The team, which would depart this month, comprises Area Director (Bandhavgarh National Park) Aseem Shrivastava, Deputy Director (Kanha Tiger Reserve) Shubh Ranjan Sen, Deputy Director (Panna National Park) A K Nagar, veterinarian Sanjeev Gupta and Wildlife Institute of India's Dr Parag Nigam.

Under the joint efforts of Conservation Corporation of Africa and Forest Department, a herd of 20 bisons would be released in Bandhavgarh National Park.

Bisons were found in Bandhavgarh National Park before the year 1994. The orders to rehabilitate bisons there were given to department officers by Forest Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah, the release added.

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