AGARTALA, July 28 (TIWN): The Heritage Park, spread over twelve acre of land,is located at the centre of the city, on the northern side of Raj Bhawan on the Agartala-GBP Hospital road. This park was inaugurated on the 30th November 2012 by the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Tripura. Entrance to the park has an imposing gate constructed with depicting the rich tribal, nontribal mixed cultural heritage of Tripura, both tribal and non-tribal. The park has three parts, viz. (i) mini-Tripura located in about three acre of land at the entrance, (ii) central area being raised as natural forest, and (iii) a plain table land with medicinal plants, herbs and shrubs. There is a walking track of 1.1 kilometer running along the periphery of the park.

The Heritage Park, spread over twelve acre of land,is located at the centre of the city, on the northern side of Raj Bhawan on the Agartala-GBP Hospital road. This park was inaugurated on the 30^th November 2012 by the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Tripura.

Entrance to the park has an imposing gate constructed with depicting the rich tribal, nontribal mixed cultural heritage of Tripura, both tribal and non-tribal. The park has three parts, viz. (i) mini-Tripura located in about three acre of land at the entrance, (ii) central area being raised as natural forest, and (iii) a plain table land with medicinal plants, herbs and shrubs. There is a walking track of 1.1 kilometer running along the periphery of the park.

The mini-Tripura was conceptualized in the line of mini-Europe located at Brussels, capital of Belgium [which I had the opportunity to visit in 2003]. Hill ranges, river system, undulating valleys, national and international border of the state have been shown in this patch with natural relief. The National Highway, State Highway, Railway line running through tunnels across the hilly ranges make it interesting. Replica of eleven places of tourist importance of the State like Ujjayanta Palace, Neer Mahal, Matabari, Pilak have been laid in miniature form with reference to their location,along with a small write-up on each.

This mini-Tripura seeks to give the visitor a quick idea about the State coveringgeographical features and places of tourist interest. A small patch has been developed with fruit bearing trees in an area adjacent to mini-Tripura.This has been raised for attracting birds.

On the pathway running on the eastern side along the GBP Hospital road, there is a long bed of indigenous sweet smelling flowers, mainly Bakul, Beli, Malati, Sungandhi Raj, Rat-ki-Rani, etc. in abundance on either side. The natural forest patch is planted with indigenous saplings, bushes and creepers with a few tribal huts. It is expected that within a period of two to three years all the saplings planted will grow up making it a paradise in the visitors and plant lovers.

The table land opposite to Acharjya Prafulla Chandra Smriti Vidyalaya, a beautiful new school building offers an ideal place for performing yoga and physical exercise. It has a rich collection of medicinal plants. Recently, over thirty varieties of medicinal herbs and shrubs and trees have been raised along the eastern and western side boundaries, with active involvement of the students and teachers of the Women’s College.This is fast emerging as a centre of study and research. The walking track on the northern side running parallel to the school has a row of Sheuli flower trees and Kath Champa on either side. Coming autumn will make this a rare place, with a white carpet of Sheuli flower on the track and lawns.

The park has a mini-theatre with seating capacity of about two hundred persons which is being used for performance by the local artists as well as film shows on wildlife, forest and environment.On the southern side of the theatre, there is a water body with water jet springs which add beauty to the entire premises. This is visited by large number of students and public.

One of the most striking features of the park relates to the nature exhibiting in its youthfulness and vigour in abundance. This is best reflected in the bamboo green fenceas a view-cutter for the dwelling houses located on the western side of the park. It is seen to be believed that in just one year freshly planted bamboo saplings have grown in plenty providing total privacy to the inmates of the houses as well as the visitors of the park at a much cheaper cost than walls raised with brick and mortar.

“Srijani”, being constructed for use as sales counter of arts, artifacts and literature on nature, would be dedicated to the visitors by Hon’ble Forest Minister, Shri Naresh Chandra Jamatia, on the 29^th July 2014. The Tripura Forest Development & Plantation Corporation (TFDPC) has come forward to support development of the park under its Corporate Social Responsibility.

The development in the park has been possible because of the team work involving the Forest Department, Department of Science, Technology & Environment, Education (Higher) Department, District Administration, West Tripura and Agartala Municipal Corporation with active support and interest taken by the visiting public and students.It is expected that over the next two to three years, this park will emerge as a place of tourist interest, a matter of pride for the state.

[Written by Dr. S.K. Panda, Chief Secretary. Contributions made by Shri Anjan Sengupta,Project Officer Directorate of Biotechnology , Shri Debashish Chakraborty, Chief Conservator of Forests; Shri Sanjay Majumder, Range Officer; Shri Stephen Rupini, Plantation worker for development of the park is thankfully acknowledged.]

Perhaps Heritage park is the first park in the country where the beauty is coupled with new technology. The latest technology of quick composting named Effective Microorganism technology have been introduced  here with a view provide solution against the scarcity of organic manure. The park is now less dependent on scarce cowdung. The menace of pest and diseases are being controlled by eco friendly manner with the introduction of Bio and Botanical pesticides. To increase and assess the population of pollinators A new concept of Bee Hotel has been introduced on trial basis. The hotel is open for all types of bees and Honey bees to reside and enrich the natural wealth of the park.