Bandhavgarh National Park, which had turned devoid of the bison (Gaur) in 1995, would get a few of these animals from Kanha National Park in January next year. The Centre has recently assigned its approval for the relocation of bison from Kanha to Bandhavgarh. The relocation project is the joint venture of Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Conservation Corporation of Africa (CCA) and State Forest Department. Bandhavgarh has become devoid of the Gaur population after 1995, when a Gaur was spotted in the park. Before 1995, 30 to 35 Gaurs were spotted in the Bandhavgarh, the field director said adding that it appears that they used to descend from nearby hills and come down to the park. On the issue, Bandhavgarh Field Director CK Patil said January is the best time to shift the Gaurs, which usually descend from the hills during this period and enter the wild. He said probably the Gaurs' transit route to Bandhavgarh has been hindered due to the construction of Sanjay Gandhi Thermal Power Station, which has come up in the neighbouring Birsinghpur. He further informed that the Gaurs will be tranquilised in Kanha and then would be sent to Bandhavgarh by especially-designed trucks. Patil said the TATA has donated these trucks, which are being manufactured with special care and design in Jabalpur. The CCA is helping us with the technical know-how for translocation, said Patil, adding that the State Forest Department has earmarked Rs 1.16 crore for this project. Significantly, the Forest department had prepared the bison relocation project in 2007, but the project was pending for approval from the Centre. Initially, a group of 20-25 bisons would be sent to Bandhavgarh under the project. A group of Forest officials has also been trained in South Africa especially for this project.