Barasingha population in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve reaches 65

The barasingha population in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve has risen to 65 in 2026, from 56 recorded in 2025. The reintroduction began with 37 animals transferred from Kanha Tiger Reserve on 26 March 2023. A further 11 were moved in March 2024, bringing the total transferred to 48. The Madhya Pradesh Forest Department carried out the reintroduction with scientific support from the State Forest Research Institute in Jabalpur. The animals were released in the reserve’s Magadhi area after habitat suitability was assessed. Their health, behaviour, food and water access, and population have been monitored.

Notable Points

• Historical conservation at Kanha: Kanha’s hard-ground swamp deer has hard hooves adapted to open sal forest with a grass understorey. Its population was estimated at 66 in 1970. The conservation programme restored grasslands and swamps and restricted livestock grazing to reduce disease transmission.