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Forest Development Minister Jitendra Chowdhury inaugurated the first ever Nature Interpretation Centre at Sepahijala on October 16, 2007. Inaugurating the Interpretation Centre Forest Minister Sri Chowdhury pointed out that tourists, besides, wildlife activists could collect information related to wildlife and bio-diversity of the state as a whole and the sanctuary in particular from the Interpretation Centre.
Among others, local MLA Ashok Debbarma, R P Tangwan, PCCF, Dr V K Bahuguna, Additional PCCF and Chief Wildlife Warden and Dr. AK Gupta, Chief Conservator of forest also attended the function.
A scholarly article authored by Dr. AK Gupta, mastermind of northeast’s first Interpretation Centre and a leading authority on spectacled monkey is presented here for tripurainfo. com viewers.
Tripura with technical support from the Wildlife Institute of India,
Dehradun,it is the first Interpretation center of its kind in the northeast set up with untiring efforts by the team of Sepahijala WLS led by Shri Rajat Das, WLW besides the encouragement received from the high officials in the forest department, and technical support from Wildlife Institute of India and many excellent photographs contributed generously by the Tripurainfo.com and ICAT.
It is hoped that this centre will serve as a show case of rich biodiversity that this tiny yet beautiful state harbour and would encourage the children in particular to take up the onerous task of saving the biodiversity in perpetuity.
The views and suggestions of learned visitors to this site will also help us in further enriching the centre.
Interpretation is defined as an Educational Activity, which aims to reveal meanings and relationship, not simply by factual information, but through the use of original objects by first-hand experience and by illustrative media. Interpretation provides a first-hand opportunity to enrich the experience of nature and thus is a very important communication tool in protected areas. Interpretation has the potential to educate visitors about natural resources, the relationship between humans and natural resources and the need for conservation and park management policies. In turn, increased understanding of natural resources may generate visitor support for the conservation of the park's resources.
Nature interpretation is one of the many methods used to disseminate quality information to the visitors in a way that it supports the better management of the protected areas and encourages real appreciation for the protected area. Nature’s interpretation serves two main functions: education and recreation. Through interpretation one hopes to raise awareness of environmental issues, to sensitize, to create understanding and appreciation of the site and to make the whole experience more meaningful. It is the most effective and exciting media for interpreting the Nature to the large number of visitors.
The main aim of the NIC is to play a supportive role and encourage better interaction with the visitors to
Sipahijala
Complex (housing Clouded Leopard National Park, Wildlife Sanctuary, and a Zoo) who are genuinely interested in interacting with nature, learning from it, and bringing about a systematic change in the environment for their own sustenance.
The NIC at Sipahijala is first of its kind among the northeastern states. It is located in inimitable sylvan surroundings. A close look at the building itself may fill visitors with a sense of joy and thrill as it depicts the outlines of State’s animal, the Phayre’s langur (locally known as Chashma banar). This bespectacled spectacular primate species sitting in front of the Center welcomes the visitors and escort them to their journey through the Center. As ‘Mascot’, the Phayre’s langur narrates and describes the salient features of the Center to the visitors as an intelligent and experienced ‘Guide’.
The Nature Interpretation Center has viewing galleries each depicting different theme. Starting from State’s profile on forests and wildlife wealth, the galleries unfold many facts on biodiversity, floral richness of Tripura including a brief on bamboo, the ‘green gold’, rich cultural heritage, threats to biodiversity, people’s participation for economic welfare, etc. The Central Hall of the Center provides glimpses of cultural richness of the State through legendary monuments. Rich historical conservation ethos of the State is also well reflected through a ‘panel’ depicting names of places in Tripura based on names of useful tree species. A dedicated section on tribal culture and their role in ecological restoration is a reflection of initiatives being taken up by the State for their (tribal) socio-economic and cultural rehabilitation. The Children’s corner consists of a few interactive items, such as recognizing the calls of birds, comparing weight and height with few important
animal species, sharing fun with legendary Moguli family, etc. The parting theme may apprise the visitors of the future roles of the forest department in fulfilling her Vision, Mission, and Objectives.
The Center has been so designed that most of the ‘Panels’ may be replaced with new ‘Panels’ in future depicting the new concepts and latest achievements for updated information of the visitors. New interactive ‘panels’ may also be added in children’s corner to disseminate education and awareness on key aspects of Nature’s conservation. All the galleries in the Center are beautifully laced with colourful terracotta art work merging well with the overall ambience of the Center. Visitors may scribe their valuable suggestions on white boards provided for this purpose. These valuable suggestions and comments would be collated and printed for display in the Center subsequently.
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