AGARTALA, July 19 (TIWN): Tripura Forest department has taken an initiative for the development of butterfly park in Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary under Tripura JICA Project, which is being implemented through Tripura Biodiversity Board.

The project was started during 2013 with a project cost of Rs 15 lakh over 5 ha of area probably one its own kind in the country. The speciality of the butterfly park is that it is being developed without disturbing the natural habitat of the existing butterfly species.

The scientific intervention includes planting of specific host plant to attract butterflies to lay their eggs vis-a –vis the planting of sufficient nectar plants for ensuring food for the butterfly. The park is being developed indigenously by the department following certain basic principles and physiology of butterfly.

The seasonal abundance of butterflies has been observed over last one year and it is found that the butterflies are predominant during May to September and are visible during 8.00 am to 12.30 Pm in their natural habitat.

Around 40-55 species of butterflies can be seen in the park which includes some rare species with seasonal variation. There is also a plan to introduce E-ricksaw facility in the park for the tourists.

However, the department had on Saturday launched a website for the Trishna Wild life Sanctuary with an objective to promote wildlife tourism mainly for the Indian Bison for the tourists an area has been developed in the close proximity of the Trishna Head Quarter.  

Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary and Bison National Park is situated in the southern proximity of the state of Tripura bordering Bangladesh. Trishna was declared on the 16th of December, 1988 over an area of 194.708 Sq. km and the second largest Sanctuary of the State.

Later on during 2007 on the 7th of November an area of 31.63 Sq. Km was declared as Bison National Park. The Sanctuary and Bison National Park is well known for Indian Bison locally known as Gaur, the only surviving population of Gaur in the state.