Elephants return to Madhya Pradesh after a century:97 elephants came from Chhattisgarh and have now settled in the state, marking a historic homecoming

Early morning light spreads across the forests of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve as a herd of elephants moves through the Panpatha Range, leaving deep footprints behind. Broken plants, disturbed bushes, and distant trumpeting show that the whole family is in the area. Forest officials say the elephants’ presence is no longer temporary. They have returned to a forest where they had completely disappeared 100 years ago. Reports like the ‘Status of Elephants in India’ and the ‘Elephant Census 2021-2025’ show that Madhya Pradesh now has 97 wild elephants. Most of them live in Bandhavgarh and Sanjay Dubri Tiger Reserves, and they are now permanent residents, not migrants. The report states that until the 16th and 17th centuries, there was a large elephant population in the forests of Madhya Pradesh. Gradually, due to hunting, deforestation, and increasing human interference, this number decreased, and in 1925, the elephant population was recorded as zero. Since then, the forests of Madhya Pradesh have remained completely devoid of elephants. In 2017, a small herd of 7 wild elephants from Chhattisgarh entered the Sanjay Dubri Tiger Reserve via Sidhi, Singrauli, and Shahdol. Usually, such herds return in a few months, but this one stayed. The following year, in 2018, a large herd of 40 elephants reached Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve via Shahdol. This one also stayed here. There are now 50 elephants in Bandhavgarh alone. Why did Madhya Pradesh’s forests appeal more to elephants?
Water and grass year-round, and less human movement According to Anupam Sahay, Field Director of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, there is year-round water, natural grass, and a large expanse of forest for elephants here. Limited movement of common people has provided a calm and safe environment for the elephants. The eastern forests of Madhya Pradesh are safer compared to Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. What are the Forest Department’s preparations? Solar fencing of camps increased surveillance and patrolling Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve management has started making changes to the forest infrastructure. Solar fencing is being installed in camps in the Bamera area, so that beat guards and security workers can remain safe. Surveillance and patrolling have also been increased in areas with elephant movement. 200 km Corridor 100 villages in core-buffer, power lines a big threat Elephants are moving in a 200 sq km long tiger corridor. There are more than 100 villages in its core and buffer zones. The biggest challenge is power lines, as there is a risk of electrocution from low-hanging lines in the buffer zone. Electricity companies have been asked to keep the wires high.