Agartala, July 11 (TIWN) Bison, an endangered species have got a new lease of life in the National Park within the Trishna sanctuary in Tripura’s South district with the birth of new calves.

“We have spotted at least seven new calves of Bison in the sanctuary recently. It proves that mother Bisons are giving birth to babies and the number of the endangered animal are on the rise in the national park”, Wild Life warden of the sanctuary, Animesh Das said.

Located on the Indo-Bangladesh border, the Bison National Park within the Trishna santuary has seen a spurt in population of the endangered species following fencing of the border.

During a survey conducted in 2010, only 130 bisons were spotted in the core area of the Trishna sanctuary spread over more than 164 sq km. But this year the number must have has risen with the birth of new calves.

The latest census report is yet to be published.

The 30 sq km Bison reserve was established in Trishna sanctuary a few years ago with funds from the Centre to preserve and protect the endangered species of Bison, locally known as Gaba or Gaur, he said.

"The Bison reserve aims at ecological restoration of existing natural habitats and migratory route of bison, promotion of measures for mitigation of man-animal conflict in crucial habitats and strengthening measures for protection of bison from poachers," Das said.

Grass has been cultivated in major habitats of bison in the Trishna core area as well as the National Park area, the official said.

Recently plantation of one species of Bamboo, locally known as Kaillai, which is a favourite food of Bison has been started to meet the need of food during the lean period, the official said.

Meanwhile, 7 sqkm area of the bison reserve has been fenced off, good grazing land developed and a watch tower recently constructed for tourists.

Five more watch towers would be constructed in the area for tourists. This area, now covered with green grass, has emerged as natural grazing land for the bison, also known as Eden of Bison.

Population of bison has been on the rise during last couple of years after the Indo-Bangla border adjoining the sanctuary was encircled with barbed wire fencing. As many as nine new calves were noticed by the forest officials last year inside the core area.

A few years ago poachers were very active and entered the sanctuary area from Bangladesh.

"However, the situation has changed and the population of the animal is increasing following erection of barbed wire fencing on the border line", Das said. The team of forest protection force has also been strengthened to combat hunting and poaching inside the national park.

Four bisons died in June, 2009 as lightning struck them in the sanctuary.

Das said, the flow of tourists have increased in the sanctuary to see the bison from towers.