AGARTALA, Feb 20 � The population of the endangered bison is increasing in the Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary, the only national park for conservation of the animal in the North East, Forest department officials have said.
Even though no census of bison was undertaken in the sanctuary since 2005, the number of the animals is increasing as evident from many young calves being spotted by Forest department officials, moving about under the watchful eyes of their mothers.
�The calves were found ambling in the deep forests in the Chipathar area, considered to be the core area of the sanctuary for rearing bison,� Wildlife Warden of the sanctuary, Manoj Kumar Majumder, said.
The Forest department has now planned to conduct a fresh census of the animal in the sanctuary to find out the exact number of bisons, cobras and other animals like the precious Spectacle Monkey and Hornbills.
Majumder said recently six lightning conductors had been installed in the sanctuary to save the bisons from being electrocuted. Last June, five gaurs (bisons), locally known as gaba, had died when lightning struck them.
One gaur was shot dead last November suspectedly by poachers from Bangladesh, while another bison had also died recently, officials said.
Poachers kill the animals for their flesh, which is cooked.
Poaching, however, has of late come down to a great extent after erection of barbed wire fencing around the sanctuary.
The 194.70 sq km Trishna Park, the home of the Indian gaur is also known for its rich fauna and vegetation with an estimated 456 plant species, 150 species of birds, and about 46 different varieties of wild animals.
Majumder said one special type of bamboo, locally known as Kailia bamboo, provides good habitat to gaurs and cobras. The gaurs also eat bamboo leaves and young shoots of the bamboo.
Three types of cobras, including King Cobras are found in the sanctuary. At least 60 cobras were sighted during the last census in the sanctuary.
The State Government has sent a proposal to the Central Government to develop some portion of the sanctuary as a habitat for the King Cobras, which is also an endangered species, for its conservation and also for natural breeding. � PTI
